Yate Town 1, Chippenham Town 2 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Yate Town 1, Chippenham Town 2

4:16pm Thursday 15th December 2005 in Football

SOUTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE:MANAGER Darren Perrin said his side's recent derby victories proved to doubters that his side can perform away.

Before the victories over Gloucester City and Yate, Chippenham Town had been criticised for their poor away form one win in six away league games.

But Perrin said the two wins had proved to everyone that his Bluebirds could fly away from Hardenhuish Park.

He said: "We deserved to win. I don't think anyone would disagree with that.

"It was a bruising encounter but our discipline was fantastic today and I am delighted to come away with three points.

"Their home record is very strong. They have already beaten Salisbury and Tiverton and drawn with Bath, so to get a win is great. We have had back-to-back away victories and we have proven we can win wherever."

Perrin also praised strikers Dave Gilroy and Alan Griffin, whose goals won the game.

"I'm delighted for Gilly to get on the scoresheet again," said Perrin. "Since Constable's gone Gilly's been outstanding with his work rate, running off the ball and attitude in training he trains like it's a match.

"As for Alan, it was great to see him score as well. He's had to wait for his chance and it was a good strike."

Chippenham dominated the game and opened the scoring through Gilroy after ten minutes. A strong tackle from Gary Thorne ran through to the striker and he used his pace and strength to reach the ball first.

After holding off the challenge of Lee Jefferies he rounded Yate goalkeeper Tony Court before tapping home.

Three minutes later captain Thorne was forced off with a knee injury which is likely to rule him out of the Christmas programme.

Goalkeeper Steve Perrin was forced into his first save on 25 minutes when he dropped a catch under pressure, making amends by getting down low to block Darren Edwards' goalbound effort.

While Chippenham continued to have more of the possession Yate had more clear-cut chances.

As the half came to a close Jefferies had Chippenham hearts in their mouths as he headed over from five yards.

The second-half started much like the first with Chippenham scoring in the first ten minutes.

This time it was Griffin, with his first league goal of the season, as he unleashed a thunderous volley that cannoned in off the crossbar from 20 yards.

Yate halved the deficit on the hour through Edwards, who lashed home from ten yards after a defensive mix-up between Matthew McEntegart and Sam Jones.

Instead of Yate pushing on, this sprung Chippenham back to life as first Gilroy tormented the home defence, flicking the ball over a defender before his shot was deflected down low for Court to gather on 66 minutes, and then Allison, moved up front when Griffin was substituted, saw his shot cleared off the line after a sharp turn in the crowded area.

Substitute Iain Harvey and Jones then combined to play in Allison down the left, who shot over at the near post with 15 minutes left.

After Gilroy had missed another golden opportunity from a quick counter attack, Chippenham almost finished the game with an injury time goal of pure brilliance.

The away side saved their best move until last, as five players shifted the ball from right to left, before Kirk lobbed the ball over a defender for Harvey to run onto, firing his hurried shot inches over.

Chippenham: Perrin, Charity, Jones, G Thorne (Bunyard, 13), McEntegart, Badman, Allison, Herring, Gilroy, Griffin (Harvey, 67) , Kirk. Subs not used: Adams, Draycott, Jefferies.