WINGER Steve Brown bagged a goal on his return to Bremhill View as Chippenham Town cruised to victory in their opening pre-season friendly at Screwfix Direct League neighbours Calne Town.

The result also ensured the Bluebirds retained the Fred Rutty Memorial Cup after their victory on penalties a year ago.

Chippenham boss Tommy Saunders elected to field a starting eleven consisting of trialists and new signings, with none of last season's promotion-winning squad appearing until the half time interval.

The clash gave the sizeable travelling contingent the chance to see 22-year-old Brazilian Juliano Lima in Chippenham colours for the first time and the midfielder showed some decent touches in a quiet opening period.

The first serious effort on goal came from the home side after 21 minutes, the lively Andy Sandell volleying just over goalkeeper Paul Thompson's bar from the edge of the box.

Despite the number of unfamiliar faces on view, the Bluebirds always looked the more inventive side going forward and opened the scoring through new signing Mark Badman on 33 minutes after Juliano had won a corner on the right.

Badman made no mistake from close range after skipper Colin Towler's effort had been deflected into his path.

Dave Godley, who hopes to return to Hardenhuish Park after an absence of two years, saw a tame 20-yard effort strike a post moments later following a mistake by Calne goalkeeper Daryll Sims.

Saunders introduced Steve Tweddle, Matt Rawlins, Shane Andrews, Adie Mings and Brown at half-time, but Sandell gave the Bluebirds another scare on the hour before Brown finally doubled the lead with 15 minutes left.

Rawlins' cross from the right was flicked on by trialist Nolan Pierre and Brown was on hand at the far post to thump a diving header past the helpless Sims.

The visitors wrapped up their victory on 82 minutes when Paul Hunt's low free kick from the edge of the Calne box was only parried by Sims, and Rawlins despatched the rebound from eight yards.

Brown enjoyed his goalscoring return to Bremhill View.

He said: "I played here for three seasons and it is always good to put one over your old club.

"The ball sat up nicely for me and I just managed to put my head in front of it. Thankfully it went in."

Calne boss Rankin felt his side had performed well against a team four division above them in the non-league pyramid.

He said: "In the first 45 minutes I think we at least matched Chippenham and I was well pleased with our shape. In the second they brought on quality for quality, but we showed a lot of character.

"It was a good day. I was more than happy with our display and 3-0 maybe flattered them a little bit."

A GOAL from Steve Healy proved little more than a consolation as Calne were beaten 4-1 by Paulton Rovers in their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Thursday night.