CHIPPENHAM Town were on the end of a trouncing earlier tonight as they welcomed league opposition to Hardenhuish Park for the second time in five days.

Nathan Rudge's Bluebirds took on an Exeter City XI but as the Chippenham chief tinkerered with his formation in the final stages, the visitors took full advantage, scoring five times in the final 20 minutes.

The Grecians included young defenders Jake Wannell and Jordan Tillson, who had spells on loan at Chippenham last season, as well as first-teamers Jimmy Keohane, Jake Gosling and Elliot Chamberlain.

The contest was also split into three periods of 30 minutes, the third of which was again divided into two halves, with match officials Ben Williamson, Graham Perace and Josh Aniscow all taking turns to referee.

With just two minutes on the clock, Exeter threatened to take an early lead through Chamberlain, who latched on to Jack Allward's backwards header but was off-target with his attempted lob.

Four minutes later, Gosling got on to the end of Wannell's lofted pass and cut the ball back to the unmarked Chamberlain but he was denied by a confident stop from Ben John.

With 15 minutes on the clock it was the Bluebirds' turn to threaten as Tom Knighton collected a long ball out from the defence and held off the attentions of Myles Anderson before striking goalwards but his effort was saved by the legs of keeper Christy Pym.

Midway through the half, the visitors came close again through Chamberlain and with 27 minutes on the clock, Pym's clearance was charged down by Knighton but the space just wasn't there for the Chippenham striker to get a shot away.

In the 47th minute, midway into the second period, Exeter took the lead as Gosling's low shot from outside the area found its way through a host of legs before nestling in the bottom corner.

Five minutes later, the Grecians almost made it 2-0 as Chamberlain met Gosling's pinpoint cross but Bluebirds keeper John produced a fantastic reaction save.

But moments later, the hosts came close to levelling matters as substitute Harley Purnell picked up the ball outside the area and fired away a powerful strike that pinged against the edge of the Exeter post.

Chippenham refused to be downhearted by going behind and two minutes into the third period of the evening, they did equalise as substitute Ben Wickens played in Isaac Reid, who found the top-right corner with a sublime first-time effort.

But with 71 minutes on the clock, the visitors restored their lead when substitute Matty Jay collected the ball narrowly outside the area and curled in a delightful effort to make it 2-1.

As the final third wore on, the home side began to make changes to their personnel and formation and the Grecians began to take full advantage.

In the 74th minute, Exeter won the ball back in midfield, allowing Jay to slide in Tom Nichols for an easy finish into the bottom corner.

Then three minutes later, it was 4-1 as midfielder Jay continued to influence proceedings, firing low past replacement keeper Sam Thomson.

City didn't stop there and they netted their fifth almost straight from the Chippenham kick-off as substitute Oliver Watkins robbed Adie Harris of the ball and fed midfielder Keohane, who slotted home past Thomson.

The Bluebirds did attempt to bite back in the 80th minute through Reid, who rolled an effort narrowly wide of the upright, whilst at the other end, Chamberlain was sent racing clear on goal after Chippenham relinquished possession but his shot was blocked by a superb challenge from Iain Harvey.

But with 86 minutes on the clock, the visitors got their sixth of the evening as striker Watkins drove into the box and rounded keeper Thomson before firing home into the unguarded net.

Exeter threatened to net number seven shortly afterwards, with Chamberlain striking the bar before, with just two minutes on normal time remaining, Thomson got down well to save Watkins' effort but the rebound was knocked in by defender Tillson to round off the rout.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Ben John (Sam Thomson 60), Steve Fitzpatrick (Toby Osman 50), Jack Allward, Adie Harris, Greg Tindle (Charlie Austin 60), Iain Harvey (c), Joe McClennan (Leon Jeanne 60), Mitch Tippins (Greg Andrews 50), Isaac Reid, Tom Knighton (Ben Wickens 60), Aaron Ledgister (Harley Purnell 53).

Attendance: 212

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