CHIPPENHAM Town soared to the summit of the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division with an emphatic win against Dorchester, with all four goals coming from Dave Pratt.

Earlier in the week a national table revealed that Pratt and Andy Sandell were the leading goalscorers in the top three levels of non league football in the country - and Pratt underlined their position as he became the first Bluebirds player to notch four goals for Chippenham in a Southern League match.

New signing Joe McClennan was instrumental in Pratt’s opening brace and after the break Sandell took over as provider-in-chief as Pratt competed the scoring on the hour mark.

After McClennan had fired over in the second minute, Dorchester responded a minute later with Ben Wood shooting wide.

The opening goal came on four minutes when McClennan’s cross from the right was headed home by Pratt.

On seven minutes Wood was presented with another chance when the ball fell to him off a home defender but again the Magpies striker failed to hit the target.

Four minutes later Sandell’s long throw was headed on by Matt Jones to Pratt whose header was saved by Shane Murphy.

McClennan, who was running rings around the Dorset side’s defence, then found Alex Ferguson, but his shot, off balance, went wide.

A McClennan cross then appeared to be handled in the area but referee Lee Brennan saw things differently.

Another McClennan cross on 23 minutes again picked out Ferguson and his shot from a narrow angle was blocked at his near post by Murphy.

A minute later another penalty appeal by the Bluebirds for hands again went unanswered.

Just past the midway point of the half Dorchester, who were relying on the counter attack, had their best chance of the half but captain Nathan Walker’s shot deflected off a home defender into the arms of Darren Chitty.

A thirty sixth minute Matt Jones corner was then played back to him but his cross cum shot hit a post, whilst two minutes later an attacking run by Nuno Felix saw Jones let fly from 25 yards out but his shot went narrowly past the far post with Murphy well beaten.

Neil Martin’s shot from distance then swerved wide whilst at the other end a shot from Ferguson was blocked on the line.

Chippenham’s dominance finally paid off on 45 minutes with McClennan’s low cross being met first time by Pratt and despatched into the net.

After the break it was Dorchester who were first to show with Walker’s glancing header fielded by Chitty and David Jerrard’s shot being deflected behind.

Pratt recorded his hat-trick on 49 minutes when a superb 50-yard ball by Sandell took out the entire Dorchester back line and Pratt raced clear to slide the ball across Murphy.

Wood then shot wide for the visitors whilst Martin’s free kick was easily saved by Chitty.

A Bluebird free kick was then chested back by Jones to Will Richards but his shot was off target.

Pratt then glanced home a delightful Sandell cross to complete the scoring on the hour mark.

Substitute James Guthrie’s free kick from out wide went all the way through to Murphy who slapped the ball off the line.

A 73rd-minute corner saw skipper Greg Tindle drag his shot wide of the Dorchester goal, whilst the Magpies saw efforts from Jerrard and Franklyn Clarke fail to trouble Chitty.

Chippenham: Chitty, Bowman, Felix, Horgan (Pook 70), Tindle, Richards, Ferguson, McClennan, Pratt, Sandell (Mateus 77), Jones (Guthrie 63).

Subs not used: Beeden, Smith.

Referee: Lee Brennan (London).

Attendance: 413