CALNE Town joint-manager Ben Redford felt relieved after watching his side claim their first home win of the season at the fifth time of asking against Almondsbury on Tuesday night.

Tom Boakes gave his troops a slender 1-0 lead going into the break, but the visitors were gifted a route back into the game via the penalty spot in the second half.

Chris Alchin was the saviour for the hosts as the debutant came on and scored with his first touch to seal the win.

With just two wins on the board in their first season in charge of the Toolstation League Division One side and their first victory coming on the opening day of the campaign, Redford says it was a weight off his shoulders to see his outfit register a home victory.

“We have been outplaying teams but we couldn’t get the results. Last week we should have beaten Devizes Town,” said the Lilywhites chief.

“On Saturday, we should have beaten Ashton & Blackwell. We were the better of the two sides on Tuesday and we actually managed to beat them.

“In the first 20 minutes we started off slowly and they had a clear chance, which they missed, so that woke us up.

“I think we outplayed them. We kept the ball well, created loads of chances and we could have been two or three up at half-time.

“We had a slow start to the second half and when they scored it woke us up again, then we dominated and Chris Alchin had a good impact.

“In the last five minutes they piled on the pressure and we had that bit of luck because they had a long-distance shot which hit one of our defenders and looped onto the bar.

“We needed that win at home really. Every away game we have been really good and we have gone to some tough away grounds.”

Redford will now turn his attention to this weekend’s FA Vase first round qualifying clash with East Cowes Athletic.

He believes that if his team concentrate on themselves, there is no reason why the club can’t have a successful cup campaign.

“I don’t know too much about them (Cowes) and I haven’t looked too much into it because I want to concentrate on us,” he said.

“I think I have been looking into teams too much. “I don’t know how they’re getting on, if we just play our game, I think we are a match for anyone to be honest.

Chippenham Park were able to keep up their good start to the league season with a 3-1 home win over Welton Rovers on Saturday.

Darrin Moss, Ben Pring and Lewis McCarron got the goals for Brett Partner’s side, whose side were due to face Westbury United last night.

Corsham Town slipped to bottom of the table as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Wincanton Town, Leigh Rogers with the goal.

Malmesbury Victoria and Devizes Town weren’t in action at the weekend, but return to the fold on Saturday. Kevin Bridgeman’s Malmesbury will play host to Chipping Sodbury, while Devizes travel to face Windsor in the FA Vase.

Jamie Harrison will be hoping for a change in fortunes on Saturday afternoon with Corsham’s FA Vase tie away to Petersfield Town.