MANAGER Nigel Tripp says his FC Chippenham Youth side have been thrown in at the deep end in the Premier Division but is confident that his youngsters are up to the challenge.

Tripp’s team are made up primarily of players from his Chippenham Town U18s’ side, who ply their trade in the midweek Floodlight Division, and Youth are eyeing a ‘development year’ in the Wiltshire League as their youngsters gain their first taste of adult football.

Youth suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wroughton on the opening day of the new season on Saturday but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Trowbridge Wanderers on Tuesday, James Brown grabbing the only goal.

“The nucleus of the side this year is made up of players from the Chippenham Town U18s. A lot of them were in their first year last year and will be playing in their first season in men’s football this year,” said Tripp.

“It’s a bit of a development year. We’re the feeder to Chippenham Park and they’re the feeder to Chippenham Town.

“It’s sink or swim. You can be a good player technically but men’s football is a lot different. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do well.”

Elsewhere, Wootton Bassett Town Development kicked off the new season with back-to-back nine-goal thrillers.

On Saturday, Mark Varney’s side beat Trowbridge Wanderers 5-4 before beating Wroughton by the same scoreline on Tuesday evening.

Marlborough Town, Malmesbury Victoria and Devizes Town Reserves all won on the opening day.

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