Superb Chippenham claim priceless win

4:50pm Saturday 5th April 2008

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Hemel Hempstead Town 0-2 Chippenham Town.

Clinical Chippenham Town produced a marvellous battling performance to dispatch Hemel Hempstead and take a massive step towards the play-offs.

David Pratt's scrambled effort six minutes before half time and Sean Seavill's blast immediately after the break gave the Bluebirds a priceless win as they moved eight points ahead of their sixth placed hosts.

But it was an assured defensive display which was the base for a superb three point haul.

Ross Adams and Sam Allison returned from suspension with Luke Gullick and Scott Lye injured. Gary Funnell dropped to the bench after Tuesday's 6-1 defeat at Swindon as Iain Harvey replaced him.

The Bluebirds started well with Allison and Seavill both going close.

Neither side were helped though with pedantic official Sam Lewis trying to take centre stage and blowing up for every menial challenge.

Ian Cooper was the hosts' dangerman as he shot over after ten minutes but the Bluebirds looked in complete control in the early stages.

With both sides struggling to create much after a flurry of early chances the visitors were having the better of the game and finally went ahead through Pratt's tenth of the season.

Aaron Cornwall delivered a low free kick to Allison, who dummied to Kye Holly. Allison received the ball back from Holly but mis-hit his shot into the path of Pratt who gratefully turned and fired under Ian Brown.

Immediately, the hosts rallied and could have equalised within two minutes but Chris Dillon slid the ball wide at the far post.

Half time: Hemel Hempstead 0-1 Chippenham Town.

Whatever Mings said in the half time team-talk certainly worked as the Bluebirds went 2-0 up inside three minutes.

A loose ball found it's way to Holly at the far post, the midfielder took his time and cleverly picked out Seavill 16-yards out and the striker produced an emphatic finish which smacked off the underside of the bar on it's way past Brown.

Cornwall could have made it 3-0 ten minutes later but his half volley from the edge of the box bounced off the post.

The winger's miss then inspired the hosts to try and get back into the game.

With the Bluebirds sitting deeper and deeper the Tudors tried to exploit their increased possession but failed to create any meaningful chances.

After conceding ten goals in their last two games the Bluebirds could have buckled but discovered a new found defensive resilience.

Ollie Price and Adams were superb as they dealt with the Tudors' assualt on Chippenham's box.

But they were lucky after Price brought down Harry Hunt in the box with 13 minutes left but, somehow, referee Lewis saw an infringement in Chippenham's favour.

Holly and Pratt shot widely over from distance in a rare Bluebird forray forward but it was the defence who shone in the second half.

Allison had reverted to a makeshift right back to help his defenders out as Chippenham closed in on a priceless victory, which was confirmed as Lewis allowed himself one final blow of the whistle.

Chippenham Town: Snoddy, Adams, Halliday, Price, McEntegart, Harvey (c) (Else, 87), Seavill (Badman, 87), Holly, Allison, Cornwall (Funnell, 75), Pratt.