MATCH REPORT: St Albans City 1-1 Chippenham Town | National League South | Sat 8th Oct 2022
A first Bluebird goal for Will King in the final minute of stoppage time rescued a point for the Bluebirds after they trailed the home side for much of the match
It was only Chippenham’s second point away from the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium this season.
St Albans, the second league opponents in three games to have recently sacked their manager, were very quick out of the blocks and piled forward from the off.
Chris Paul headed over on six minutes before the Saints took the lead eight minutes later when a Paul corner was headed on by Callum Adebiyi for skipper Shaun Jeffers to flick home.
The rest of the half produced few clear cut chances with the Bluebirds’ first coming on twenty minutes as Will Richards headed over a cross from Joe Hanks following a corner.
Joe Parker then attempted to lob Michael Johnson but the keeper got a hand to the ball which went behind for a corner.
The flag kick produced a scramble in the area but was eventually cleared.
On twenty eight minutes Zane Banton, who has proved a tricky customer in previous meetings, could only shoot straight at Will Henry.
Jordan Young then found Luke Russe who fired over whilst before the break Young himself was unable to find the target.
HALF TIME: St Albans City 1-0 Chippenham Town
After the interval Spencer Hamilton blocked a shot from Tafari Moore.
On fifty three minutes Harvey Greenslade made a superb run from inside his own half but just failed to find Young.
Chippenham then brought on Craig Fasanade, recently signed from Hemel Hempstead, and he along with later substitutions brought a much needed impetus to the game.
Russe found Joe Hanks who shot straight at Johnson whilst just past the hour Hanks’ free kick saw Richards head wide.
St Albans themselves still looked dangerous on the break as Banton’s shot was deflected and tidied up by Will Tizzard, whilst Jeffers shot over.
Alfie Santos was then introduced from the bench which saw Young head wide and claims for a penalty after Hanks went down in the area ignored, with Santos doing well to win the ball back in the area but unable to capitalise.
On eighty eight minutes Alex Bray was brought on, making his first appearance of the season since injury.
As the referee indicated six minutes of stoppage time the Bluebirds never gave up and good work from Russe saw him thread the ball to Greenslade who poked it forward where King smashed home a low drive into the corner of the net.
FULL TIME: St Albans City 1-1 Chippenham Town
Chippenham: Will Henry, Spencer Hamilton (Alex Bray 88), Will King, Will Tizzard, Will Richards, Luke Russe, Caine Bradbury (Craig Fasanade 54), Joe Hanks, Joe Parker (Alfie Santos 70), Harvey Greenslade, Jordan Young subs not used: Callum Gunner, Tom Mehew
St Albans: Michael Johnson, Devante Stanley, Kyran Wiltshire, Callum Adebiyi, Chez Isaac (George Morrall 75), Shaun Jeffers (Joe Neal 75), Zane Banton, Munashe Sundire (Huw Dawson 70), Joy Mukena, Chris Paul, Tafari Moore subs not used: Michael Clarke, Lorenzo Johnson
Ref: Daniel Lamport
Att: 1206
Match Report by Wil Hulbert
