RUSTY Chippenham slipped to a narrow defeat in their first game for more than a month.

They started strongly and dominated the opening exchanges with Sunniva Petersen and Flo Chapple linking well together in the midfield.

As the half progressed, the home side hit back, attacking down the centre of the pitch.

Chippenham goalkeeper Toni Jackson made some great saves to keep Pucklechurch from grabbing the opening goal.

Still having to defend, Chippenham’s Steph Pugh sent the ball down the pitch to Mary Derrick, who was able to win a series of short corners which came to nothing.

Against the run of play, Pucklechurch took the lead from a breakout from their defence.

Chippenham continued to apply pressure and eventually Zoe Carardine, waiting at the top of the D, calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to snatch the equaliser just on half time.

The second half was even, Chippenham’s Suzie Schofield driving the ball down the right for Katie Roberts and Jade Jackman keeping up the pressure, using fine stickwork to get round defenders.

But Pucklechurch again well able to cope with the attacks and their second goal was a carbon copy of their first.

Chippenham tightened up their defence, with Ellena Farrow tackling well outside the D and Katie Potter stopping the ball on the line to prevent a third but the home side took the points.

Chippenham 3rd: T Jackson (goalkeeper), C Smith (captain), S Pugh, S Schofield, E Farrow, K Potter, Z Carwardine, L Kelly, F Chapple, S Petersen, K Roberts, M Derrick and J Jackman.

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