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Cheshunt 1-4 Chippenham Town.

David Pratt's hat-trick sealed clinical Chippenham Town's play-off place in style as they scored three goals in ten second half minutes to end Cheshunt's stubborn resistance.

The three points mean Adie Mings' side will contest the play-offs, a place which they owe much to Pratt who showed a ruthless streak which has sometimes been missing from his play.

His first half strike owed much to a horrific error from home keeper Bobby Smith but Ross Adams' dubious handball allowed Gavin Taylor to equalise from the penalty spot on half time.

But, after a drab opening to the second half, Pratt grabbed two more goals, and sandwiched between, substitute Luke Gullick netted a spectacular volley.

Aaron Cornwall was benched by manager Mings, allowing Scott Lye to return after a calf injury and Kevin Halliday started after being rested for the 2-1 defeat at Brackley last week.

A slow start saw the hosts forcing the play but, typically for a relegated side, they lacked any penetration or luck. Chris Snoddy had to pluck a few crosses out the air but the Bluebirds started to take control as their class shone through.

Sean Seavill screwed a volley well wide before Pratt opened the scoring thanks to stopper Smith on 14 minutes.

Seavill had laid the ball off to his strike partner who twisted and turned before scuffing a volley which Smith should have covered but instead, after getting two solid hands to the ball, he somehow contrived to almost throw the ball into his own net.

It was a goal which saw the Bluebirds bloom with confidence as they neatly passed the ball round a static Cheshunt midfield, although were sometimes let down by their final ball.

Pratt, Kevin Halliday and Seavill again came close in a game which was in danger of boiling over after three quick bookings for Darren Williams, Nick Thorogood and Tezel Tanzel as Cheshunt's frustrations got the better of them.

But, for all their comfort, Josh Cooper could have made the Bluebirds pay for a defensive lapse when he raced through but could only lift his shot over Snoddy and wide.

The Ambers didn't have to wait long for their equaliser though, despite failing to test Snoddy all game, when Taylor beat the 22-year-old from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time.

Dean Fenton's near post cross reared up and struck the unfortunate Ross Adams on the arm allowing Taylor to bury to Snoddy's left from 12-yards.

Half time: Cheshunt 1-1 Chippenham.

The Bluebirds started the second half with purpose with Sam Allison glancing the bar with a far post header and then Pratt pushing a free header wide from 12-yards.

But, as the Bluebirds toiled, the hosts grew in stature and became increasingly robust.

The visitors were failing to create anything and started to resort to aimless long balls to the slight figures of Pratt and Seavill up front.

At the back they were coming slack and Ollie Price was robbed by Tanzel, only for the winger's final ball to let him down.

Iain Harvey tested Smith from distance before Pratt regained the lead for the visitors on 66 minutes.

Holly delivered a deep cross, Allison headed back and Pratt tapped in from little more than three yards.

Five minutes later it was 3-1 as the unmarked Gullick, who had just replaced the tiring Seavill, vollied past Smith after Lye picked him out.

The Bluebirds didn't stop there as Pratt completed his treble on 76 minutes, running onto Holly's through ball and lashing past the helpless Smith.

Three goals in ten minutes ended Cheshunt's battle and gave the Bluebirds much needed breathing space in a game which looked like frustrating them.

Lye headed straight at Smith at the death but Chippenham settled for just the four.

Chippenham Town: Snoddy, Adams, Halliday, Price, McEntegart, Harvey (c) (Badman,82), Lye, Holly (Funnell, 82), Allison, Seavill (Gullick, 70), Pratt: SUBS: Gullick, Metitiri, Cornwall, Funnell, Badman.

4:53pm Saturday 19th April 2008

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