BLUEBIRDS boss Mark Collier says that his two goalkeepers will battle it out for the number one spot after the Hardenhuish Park boss signed Darren Chitty from local rivals Frome Town this week.

On Monday, Chippenham Town announced the capture of the long-serving Frome goalie and the 34-year-old went straight into Collier’s starting line-up for Tuesday’s 3-1 victory at Dorchester Town, with fellow stopper Kent Kauppinen watching on from the bench.

Those roles will be reversed this coming Saturday when Chippenham go to Billericay Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, with Chitty ineligible after featuring for Frome in the earlier stages of the country’s premier cup competition.

Despite now having two quality custodians at his disposal, Collier says that he isn’t daunted by the prospect of having to choose between new-boy Chitty and Kauppinen as the season wears on – in fact, that’s just how he’d like it.

“The only place that we didn’t have competition for places was in goal – Kent has been the only one playing there,” said Collier.

“Darren Chitty has been on our radar for a little while and he’s now living in Chippenham, which has worked in our favour somewhat.

“We put seven days in to Frome for him and we’ve managed to bring him in.

“Every team needs team spirit and competition for places and it’s great when you can look at the bench and have the option to bring somebody in of equal quality.

“Kent’s a very good goalkeeper and Darren Chitty’s a very good goalkeeper and we’ve got selection headaches all across the pitch. We’re comfortable with that.

“Darren is cup-tied this weekend, so Kent will play in the FA Cup.”

Chippenham bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable win at Dorchester, with Andy Sandell putting the visitors in front from the penalty spot after Alex Ferguson was brought down in the box.

The Magpies hit back in the second period when the Bluebirds defence failed to clear and Jake Smeeton fired home from Mario Mateus’ cross but in the 67th minute, Mark Preece restored Chippenham’s lead.

A minute later, Sandell was teed up for his second of the evening by strike partner Dave Pratt, with the visitors atoning for Saturday’s 4-0 loss at King’s Lynn Town.

Hardenhuish Park chief Collier added: “I didn’t doubt that we would get a response on Tuesday night.”