KIERAN Parselle was the hero for Chippenham Town on Saturday as Mike Cook’s men bounced back from a disappointing opening day defeat with a 1-0 win at home to Braintree Town.
With the game appearing to be destined for a frustrating 0-0 draw, long-serving Bluebird captain Parselle got on the end of a free-kick five minutes from time to snare all three points for his team.
The Bluebirds made five changes from the starting line-up at Hungerford, giving debuts to on-loan Exeter City defenders, Noah Smerdon and Jordan Dyer while strikers Ryan Brunt and Adam Mann joined from Bath City.
Ross Stearn was also handed a start and striker Kieran Phillips – on loan from Bristol Rovers – came on as a late substitute.
Chippenham began on the front foot and forced early saves from Braintree stopper Preston Edwards courtesy of Ross Stearn and Jordan Dyer.
Cook’s men had a handful of further chances before the break - dissected by a deflected header off target from Braintree.
The hosts continued where they left off after the break as Stearn shot wide when well placed.
Edwards then superbly pushed out a thunderous twenty-five-yard drive from Ash.
Braintree had a couple of good chacnes themselves, however, with Olu Olu Watimilehin shooting wide before the same player shot straight at Will Puddy from a good position.
Braintree’s Rohdell Gordon saw an effort saved by Puddy before Chippenham saw a strong penalty appeal waved away as Ash went down inside the area following a challenge by a visiting defender.
However, the hosts did finally make the breakthrough in the 85th minute as a cheap free-kick out wide saw Parselle attack an inviting delivery to volley home and snatch all three points for the Bluebirds.
