MANY of Chippenham Town’s players would have been disappointed when Saturday’s visit to Yate Town was postponed, but for goalkeeper Chris Snoddy, it came as something of a blessing.

It’s not that the goalkeeper was not willing to play, but that his fiancee Emma had been expecting the couple’s first baby in the build-up to the game.

And sure enough, Archie David Snoddy was born by emergency caesarean at Bath Royal United Hospital on Saturday evening.

It had been a difficult few days for the couple as Emma went into labour on Saturday after just 33 weeks of pregnancy.

“It was lucky the game was off, really,” said the 23-year-old goalkeeper, who also confessed the experience of having a new baby was somewhat surreal.

“I got in Saturday night and I wasn’t quite sure what had happened,” he said.

The new arrival makes Snoddy the third dad in the Chippenham squad, with Sam Allison and Ashley Williams the other two fathers.

The goalkeeper admitted both himself and Emma were tired, but were braced for some sleepless nights to come. The couple plan to marry in summer next year.

Matters are going well for Snoddy overall as he has been one of The Bluebirds most impressive performers this season.

He said: “I’m really happy with how I’m playing at the moment.

“I think last year I’d have a good game but then I’d have a rocky game whereas now I’m consistently playing quite well.”

Snoddy knows he still needs to improve on his communication with his defence, particularly in making calls when crosses come into the box.

“It’s something I’ve definitely got to work on, it’s a big part of being a goalkeeper,” he said.