CHIPPENHAM Town under 18s retained the Wiltshire FA County Floodlit Youth League title on home soil on Monday night with a stylish victory over a strong Swindon Supermarine outfit.

Goals from defender James Highmore and midfielder Daniel Lardner gave the home side the points at Hardenhuish Park and helped them leapfrog local rivals Devizes to take top spot in the process.

For Devizes, Monday's result was the second bitter disappointment in five days after they were beaten 4-1 by Supermarine in the Wiltshire County Youth Cup final at the County Ground on Thursday night.

Chippenham youth team boss Colin Bush was delighted with his side's triumph, particularly as most of the squad will be too old to play under 18's football next season.

Said Bush: "It hasn't been the easiest of seasons, with all the cancellations and county cup call-ups, and I'm really proud of them. It was the correct result because we were the best team in the league.

"The lads have gelled into a strong unit this year and one or two in particular have stepped up a few rungs on the ladder.

"We'll lose all bar about four of them for next season, but nothing can take away from them that they ended up as county champions. That's all you can do as an 18-year-old."

And Bush revealed a handful of his championship-winning squad will be invited to train with the Bluebirds' first team ahead of their Dr Martens League Premier Division adventure next season.

He said: "Some of the lads will definitely be back for pre-season training to see how they get on, so it is not as if we won't see any of them again.

"It is a tough step up to the Dr Martens Premier but we might keep one or two under the first team umbrella for a year or so if we think they have a chance of making it.

"The others we'll keep an eye on at other local clubs and, if they prove they're good enough, we'll certainly have them back."

Chippenham were boosted by the return of striker Gary Banks from a long-term stomach injury on Monday evening against a Supermarine side featuring several players on the fringe of the first team.

Highmore gave Chippenham a first half lead when he converted a Larder corner, while Banks and top scorer Jason Walsh looked dangerous after being reunited in attack.

The home side survived moments before the break when Supermarine rattled Andy Baker's crossbar after the goalkeeper misjudged a dangerous ball into the box.

Needing only a point to retain their league crown, Chippenham emerged for the second half in determined fashion and made sure of maximum points when Gary Banks; shot was parried into the path of Lardner and the midfielder slotted home.

Bush was impressed with his side's performance.

He said: "It was a superb display. They brought a very strong squad down on the back of their County Cup win and a lot of their lads had played for the first team.

"We were strong at the back, Ryan Bush and Kevin Banks were excellent in midfield and the front two were brilliant. It was a very good all round performance. We got our just reward. It was a proper game and fair play to Supermarine. They really wanted to come to us and upset our party."

l A GOAL from Aston Turner proved little more than a consolation for Devizes Town as they went down 4-1 to Supermarine in the County Youth Cup final at Swindon Town FC last week.

Devizes Phil Ireson was far from disappointed with a season that saw his side come close to securing a league and cup double.

He said: "Supermarine totally outplayed us throughout in the final and were a very good side.

"But it was a good experience for the players and we did well just to be there.

"Chippenham only lost once this season, to us, and overall they probably deserved to win the league.

"We can't complain at coming second in both the league and the cup and we've had a good season.

"We'll only lose four lads in the summer and hopefully we will come back stronger next year."