CHIPPENHAM Town manager Mike Cook has called for his team to become more consistent after an eye-catching 3-1 win over St Albans City in National League South on Tuesday night.

First-half goals from Alefe Santos and Jordan Young put the Bluebirds in full control against their opponents who enjoyed a successful run to the FA Cup second round this season.

Santos added to his personal tally in the 63rd minute before 26-goal striker Shaun Jeffers notched a consolation for St Albans with 20 minutes to play.

But Chippenham held on for three more points which lifts them up to seventh in the table after 24 games played.

Analysing the game, Cook felt St Albans’ game plan played right into the hands of his team.

He said: “I think they came expecting three points and they went for it. That’s exactly what we want teams to do when we play at home.

“When Tonbridge came the week before they just sat 11 men behind the ball and made it very difficult for us to break them down.

“St Albans’ style played into our hands, we could concentrate on nicking the ball in their half and working it towards goal – we did that well.

“We’re not quite good enough to beat teams who sit off, but those that give us a go we can give them a game. That was better for us on Tuesday night.”

Next up for Chippenham is a trip to struggling Chelmsford City on Saturday. The Essex outfit has only won five of its 21 games this term and will likely see Cook’s men as a genuine threat.

But the Bluebirds boss is hopeful if Chelmsford come onto his side – being at home – it may help the Wiltshire club chain together some of that much-needed consistency.

Cook said: “We’re far too inconsistent. We need to get a run going where we win two or three on the trot.

“We’ve beaten the likes of Dorking – who are top – and Havant & Waterlooville, and drawn with Oxford City.

“We’ve only lost to Maidstone in the top six or seven, so the top-10 are not really holding that much fear for us.

“It’s when we play against the lesser teams who just sit off and have no desire to try and win the game, we haven’t quite got enough quality in the team to break them down.

“Those are the sort of things we’re working on in training, and Chelmsford at the weekend will be a good test for us.”