CHIPPENHAM Park Development manager Nigel Tripp paid tribute to the hard work of his young squad after they put five past Marlborough Town on Saturday.

Tripp believes the settled nature of his squad, and the work ethic of his young charges, is starting to pay off after recording rare back-to-back wins.

He said: “They are all decent players. A lot could play at a higher level but they are happy where they are. They enjoy their football, they stick together, and work hard.

“It’s a good squad and they are all nice lads, which helps. They are all willing to listen and learn and are getting the benefits now for all their hard work.

“I just wish the season was starting now. At the start of the season, we dropped so many stupid points.”

Park, who included 16-year-old Tom Harvey for the second game in a row, scored three goals before half-time, including a wonderful direct free-kick from Luke Murden to get them underway.

That was backed up by Dan Heavey’s low drive, which the Marlborough goalkeeper inexplicably let go, and Emilio Modrak headed in a rebound to give Park a comfortable half-time cushion.

The Elcot Lane side seemed helpless to stop an in-form Park during the second half as Ben Pring added a fourth before Heavey got his second of the afternoon to take the total to five.

The home side did manage a late consolation effort as they fell to their ninth defeat of the season.

“It was a battle. It was not all one-way – we had to work hard,” admitted Tripp.

“Our keeper made some important saves but in the end, it was comfortable. Everyone rolled their sleeves up and got on with it.

“We are still in the cup and I am hoping we can go all the way in that. There’s nobody in this league we should fear. If we get our full squad available, we have got a chance.”

Meanwhile, Malmesbury Victoria moved level on points with Melksham Town Reserves and Trowbridge Town by besting Trowbridge Wanderers 3-0.

Melksham and Trowbridge were in cup action, with the former beating the latter 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Senior KO Cup. Wroughton also secured their passage through to the semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Royal Wotton Bassett Town Reserves.

Back in the league, Wilts Calne Town drew 1-1 with Ludgershall.