MATCH REPORT: Oxford City 5-3 Chippenham Town | National League South | Tues 13th Dec 2022
Never mind Shakespeare’s ‘Winter of discontent’, the Bluebirds defeat at a bitterly cold Oxford City meant only one league victory was achieved during the Autumn
It was scant consolation that three goals were scored for the first time in the league this season, as the Hoops showed far more clinical finishing as they went nap.
Not for the first time this campaign Chippenham took the lead but were unable to defend it as two quick goals before the break turned this match on its head.
That said Oxford were the first to show as Reece Fleet and Josh Parker both failed to capitalise on chances inside the opening ten minutes whilst at the other end Will Richards was also off target.
On the quarter hour Will Henry saved an effort from Zak McEachran whilst a Bluebird corner ended with Jordan Young shooting wide.
On twenty four minutes Luke Russe was bundled over in the act of shooting but no penalty resulted.
Harvey Greenslade shot wide and Harry Parsons volleyed straight to Ben Dudzinski before Chippenham took the lead on thirty two minutes when Young converted a cross from Alex Bray.
Six minutes later Richards lost his footing as he attempted to clear resulting in a penalty as he fouled Joe Iaciofano who converted the resulting spot kick. Henry then parried a shot from Fleet and made a superb save to deny Parker.
In stoppage time Lewis Coyle found Iaciofano who stabbed home.
HALF TIME: Oxford City 2-1 Chippenham Town
Three minutes after the break Iaciofano notched his hat trick as he converted after good work from Aaron Williams-Bushell.
Four minutes later a shot from Parsons hit the top of the bar.
On fifty four minutes the deficit was reduced as Parsons found the net but Oxford scored again just after the mid-point of the half as Josh Ashby found Parker who slotted past Henry.
Chippenham again threatened to make a game of it on seventy eight minutes as Russe intercepted a pass back and rounded the keeper to score but the home side made the game safe four minutes from normal time when substitute Klaidi Lolos, who was sent off against Bath City when he appeared on loan at Chippenham, hit home an absolute screamer.
In stoppage time substitute Alfie Santos volleyed wide but it was not to be the Bluebirds night.
FULL TIME: Oxford City 5-3 Chippenham Town
Chippenham: Will Henry, Spencer Hamilton (Harrison Minturn 46), Eddie Jones, Will Tizzard, Will Richards, Luke Russe, Tom Mehew, Harvey Greenslade (Alfie Santos 75), Jordan Young (Caine Bradbury 75), Harry Parsons, Alex Bray subs not used: Joe Parker, Will King
Oxford: Ben Dudzinski, Lewis Miccio, Josh Ashby, Lewis Coyle, Reece Fleet, Joe Iaciofano (Klaidi Lolos 71), Zak McEachran, Josh Parker, Tom Harrison, Aaron Williams-Bushell, Canice Carroll subs not used: Jayden Carbon, Alex Grantham, Jean Baptistery-Fischer, Latrell Humphrey-Ewers
Ref: Neil Pratt