A ROCK-HARD pitch and windy conditions saw Chippenham Town take a while to adapt but, after Banbury had made the early running, the Bluebirds hit three goals in just over 20 minutes to take a match winning 3-0 interval lead.

Banbury's Kynan Isaac fired an early effort over the bar, whilst Charlie Griffin's low free kick from 40 yards forced keeper Leigh Bedwell into conceding a corner.

Griffin gave Chippenham the lead on 17 minutes when he finished off a good team move by converting Jordan Roberts' low cross.

Kent Kauppinen then made two saves to defy Hicham Abdellah and Jordan Green. Griffin doubled the lead on 34 minutes when he headed home from close range after Ashan Holgate had flicked on Michael Pook's long throw.

Griffin returned the favour four minutes later when his low cross found Holgate unmarked 25 yards out in the centre of goal and he took his time before thumping home a shot past Bedwell.

Banbury reduced the arrears on 54 minutes when Marvin Martin's mis-hit shot found its way to half time substitute Leam Howard who turned the ball past Kauppinen.

Any thoughts of a fightback were ended four minutes later when Alex Ferguson rose unchallenged to head home from a Pook corner.

Bedwell then saved Roberts's shot after James Guthrie had played a short corner to him. Griffin almost notched his hat-trick when Ferguson's pass saw his shot strike the crossbar.

Kauppinen then did well to keep out another shot from tricky winger Green. On loan Milton Keynes Dons midfielder Jacob Daffern hit the first of two efforts wide.

Banbury hit their second on 79 minutes after a foul on Green out wide on the left saw Abdellah's free kick bounce in the area and deceive everyone on its way into the net.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, McCormack, Beeden, Coupe, Roberts, Preece, Ferguson, Pook, Griffin, Holgate (Odam 86), Guthrie (Ballinger 90).

Subs not used: Norman, Harvey.

Referee: Paul Johnstone (Walton-on-Thames).

Attendance: 328