The bragging rights went the way of FC Chippenham as the Whites were handed a derby defeat in their second Division 1 outing of the season.
Stanley Park has not proved the happiest hunting ground for the Colts over the past couple of years and so it proved again. Although they could point to a couple of moments of real misfortune, the final scoreline was a true reflection of a game that saw Chippenham take charge of the midfield battle and show greater desire in the tackle right across the pitch.
The deadlock remained for the first 25 minutes, although both sides had their chances to open the scoring. Max produced an absolutely outstanding save to palm away what looked to be a certain goal for the hosts after a cross from the right was only half-cleared. Bradley, meanwhile, raced back to thwart a pacy attacker with a perfectly-timed challenge as he prepared to pull the trigger in a one-on-one opportunity.
Tom, Callum and Luke VDB also needed to be on their toes as Chippenham attacked on the flanks but were equal to the task and showed good composure on the ball at times.
At the other end, George flashed the Colts’ first chance just wide of the far post. Liam B saw an effort scrambled off the line after Matthew’s shot from the edge of the box was parried and Toby cut inside from the left and produced a low drive that the keeper managed to hold on to.
As always in a game featuring two sets of players who know one another well, the first goal proved a huge confidence boost to the home side and knocked the wind out of the Colts’ sails. It came from long range and was sweetly-struck and, although Max got two hands to the ball, on this occasion he was unable to keep it out.
It was a similar tale after the break, with Chippenham winning the majority of the loose and 50-50 balls – particularly in the air – and enjoying a higher percentage of possession without managing to create a series of clear-cut chances. A lapse at the back allowed them to double their advantage, however, although the Colts should be commended for not allowing their heads to drop completely and they mounted a spirited response as the game wore on and legs on both sides became tired.
Luke S and Liam F found themselves outnumbered in the engine room at times as Chippenham pushed forward in numbers but remained disciplined and made positive contributions to a generally solid effort in the defensive third of the field.
Further forward, the close control and dribbling skills of Matthew and Liam B threatened to unlock the door and the pair combined in an excellent box-to-box move that finished with a shot from Toby that ended in the keeper’s clutches.
George also lashed an effort just past the angle and came within a whisker of halving the deficit with five minutes to go. He did superbly to turn a pair of defenders inside out and saw his shot bounce down off the underside of the bar and into the arms of the grateful Chippenham number one, with the Colts’ players claiming it had crossed the line.
Their appeals were dismissed, however, and Chippenham survived the scare to close out a victory that their performance on the day warranted.