YOUNG striker James Constable's football education was furthered at the school of hard knocks on Saturday.

His growing reputation earnt him some unwarranted attention from the Hinckley defence, as well as a trip to the dentist on Tuesday after being thumped during the first half.

"That was probably one of the toughest games I've been in, that and the Nuneaton game,'' he said.

"The centre-half just went wherever I went. Whenever I made a run across he was there with me. He never said much, he just followed me about.''

The match came to the boil with a 22-man fracas by the dugouts after HJinckley had a man sent off and Constable found himself stuck in the middle of it.

"It was a bit chaotic, we were just trying to get our players away and make sure we didn't get anyone sent off to even it up. We were winning and we ddin't want to draw or lose it at that stage.''

He has been praaised by manager Steve White for taking the roughing up uncomplainingly. "Afterwards he said I handled it well and told me well done. It was good experience,'' said the youngster who has collected just two yellow cards and no reds so far in his short career.

White is delighted with the youngster's progress and believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

"I coached Bobby Zamora at the same age at Bath City, and Constablke is a better player,'' he said.

"He can go on and be a great player if he continues to listen to the coaching he is being given.

The overphysical challenges that left Constable bruised and battered are all part of the learning curve and fellow striker Martin Paul said he can expect more of the same.

"He'll just have to get on with it,'' he said. "I've told him that when other teams hear about someone like him who has done well they are going to get some extra attention.''

The youngsters is quick to acknowledege the help that Paul and regular strike partner Charlie Griffin have been since he broke into the first team.

"They both have a lot of knowledge and they are always talking to me during the games. I can learn a lot from them.

"The whole time at Chippenham has been a dream move for me and I really feel I am improving with every game.''