CHLOE Giles says the target for FC Chippenham Ladies this season is to ‘win the league’ after their fine FA Cup run came to an end on Sunday.

Chippenham, who ply their trade in the South West Women’s League Eastern Division, went head-to-head with Basingstoke Town Ladies, who play in the FA Women’s Premier League South West Division One – three levels above Giles and Co – in the FA Women’s Cup third qualifying round.

Having already accounted for Team Solent in their first-ever FA Cup match and then Bournemouth Sport in the following round, Chippenham had been riding a crest of a wave.

However, they were made to pay for a slow start against Basingstoke, who now make the trip to Plymouth Argyle in the first round proper as they ran out 6-1 winners, with Emily Barrett grabbing the only goal for the Stanley Park girls.

“It has been a great experience,” Giles said. “We have learnt so much from playing in this competition for the first time.

“The support we have received has been fantastic and hopefully they will keep coming back to watch us in the league.

“In the first half against Basingstoke, we were a little bit slow and we made a couple of errors which they scored from.

“Then in the second half, we upped our game and I’d say we probably shaded it – which is not bad considering they are a few levels above us.

“We will definitely be looking to play in the FA Cup again next year.”

With the brave cup run over, Chippenham return to league action on Sunday when they host Cheltenham Town Ladies Development at Stanley Park.

“Our aim for the rest of the season is to win the league – that’s our goal,” said Giles, whose side’s only league match this term has been a 2-1 victory over Frome Town Ladies.

“We are at home on Sunday and hopefully we can get the support like we did last week again.”