Stratford Town's unbeaten away record ends at Chippenham
STRATFORD Town lost their unbeaten away record as high-flying Chippenham proved too strong for Carl Adams’ side on Saturday, writes Bryan Hale.
Second-half goals from Will Richards and Dave Pratt sealed the points as the promotion hopefuls secured a 2-1 at Hardenhuish Park.
Apart from a first minute shot from Chippenham’s Alex Ferguson which flew well over, there was little goalmouth action in the early stages as both sides made a cagey start.
But Chippenham gradually began to have the better of the possession, and on 20 minutes Pratt surged down the inside right channel to fire narrowly wide, and Pratt was involved again which he followed shortly when he slid the ball across to the Bluebirds’ leading scorer Andy Sandell, who was about to pull the trigger until Liam Francis took the ball off his toe.
Sandell had another chance in the 27th minute when Town conceded a free-kick some 25 yards out in a central position, but he blazed it wastefully over.
Little was seen of Town in attack apart from an Edwin Ahenkorah attempt which ballooned off a defender to make it an easy save for keeper Darren Chitty.
The Bluebirds continued to control the game after the break and eventually took the lead in the 64th minute when Sandell’s long throw caused mayhem in Town’s penalty area.
Alex Ferguson’s low drive came back off the post and Will Richards thumped the rebound past Cooper.
Another long throw almost brought a second, but Pratt’s fierce effort cannoned against the underside of the bar.
And it was Pratt who looked to have put the result beyond doubt with five minutes to go with a strong run from halfway, ending with a clinical right-foot finish past Cooper.
Substitute Richard Gregory caused a few Chippenham flutters with a 20-yarder into the top corner in the last minute, but Chippenham had done enough to secure the points.
TOWN: Niall Cooper, Dan Summerfield, Kieren Westwood, James Fry, Liam Francis, Guy Clark (Richard Gregory 83), Barry Fitzharris (Donnell Benjamin 72),Will Grocott, Edwin Ahenkorah, Jamie Sheldon (Dior Angus 72), Simeon Tulloch.
