MATCH REPORT: Salisbury 1-2 Chippenham Town | Pre-Season Friendly | Saturday 22nd July 2023

The Bluebirds secured another victory on the road against their Wiltshire neighbours.

On a very wet afternoon that made for tricky conditions the Bluebirds came from behind to edge victory.

Not surprisingly chances were at a premium especially in the opening thirty minutes, the first coming on the quarter hour mark when Tyreke Johnson’s cross led to a corner which was cleared by the Whites defence.

On the half hour Tom Owen-Evans found Matt McClure who fired wide.

In between those chances Salisbury lost Josh Sommerton to injury to be replaced by Ryan Penny whilst before the break Chippenham substituted Caine Bradbury for Luke Spokes, whilst Penny went close before the break with a shot from distance that Will Henry gathered at the second attempt.

Salisbury opened the scoring two minutes after the break when Penny’s ball over the top was headed down by James Harding for former Bluebird Noah Coppin to score.

The Bluebirds equalized on fifty one minutes when a quickly taken throw-in was converted by Owen-Evans.

Just before the hour mark Salisbury had penalty appeals for handball in the area turned down.

The hosts saw a similar appeal a quarter of an hour from time also waived aside by the referee.

The Bluebirds went down the other end and Alex Bray’s cross was turned home by McClure.

Eleven minutes from time a fine strike from Coppin was touched over by Henry. Despite late pressure from the home side the Bluebirds defence held firm.

Chippenham: Will Henry, Ed Jones (Leighton Tuodolo 69), Trialist, Wil King, Mal Nicholls,  Luke Spokes, Jake Evans, Tyreke Johnson (Alex Bray 64), Matt McClure, Tom Owen-Evans, Owen Windsor (Craig Fasanmade 64)