THE opening salvos of Tom Knighton’s Chippenham Town career have vindicated the decision to sign him, according to boss Nathan Rudge.

Knighton, signed from Yate Town, scored a spectacular first goal of his Bluebirds’ career in Hertfordshire on Saturday before following up with a brace at home to Totton in midweek.

Rudge said: “We created a lot more chances than we have in other games and the addition of Tom Knight has probably helped with that.

“(He’s a) different kind of striker – a fox in the box someone said to me – and that’s what we signed him for. Long may it continue.

“Tom offers us something different, that’s why we signed him. We don’t sign players by name alone, we do our research and he was just what we needed.

“He’s quick and deceptively strong for a small lad and complements Phillo (Lee Phillips) and Griff (Alan Griffin).’’

Meanwhile, Rudge refused to get carried away as his side clicked into top gear with a 3-0 win over AFC Totton on Tuesday night.

Tom Knighton left the Stags on the deck with a deadly two-goal salvo, Lee Phillips’ third putting the icing on the cake of the best home display of the season.

Totton arrived having suffered a last-gasp defeat to Conference high-flyers Forest Green in the FA Trophy on Saturday, and while saluting his side’s efforts, Rudge reckoned that weekend heartbreak was a factor.

“I don’t think we could played Totton at a better time, if I’m honest, coming off the back of their last-minute defeat at Forest Green,’’ said Rudge.

“Sometimes that’s a great time to play teams. I think we were the same after Gloucester (in the FA Cup), when we lost to Sholing (in the FA Trophy).

“It does take a lot out of you, those games and I think they had a bad night and we had a good night, but I’m pleased with the three points.

“Let’s not get carried away because in football, as quick as you are up the top, you are down the bottom.

“We’ll draw a line under it. It’s a good three points but we’ve got to go again on Saturday.’’

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