CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier was delighted with his side's first half performance against Banbury United this afternoon as the Bluebirds safeguarded their place in the Calor League Premier Division.

A 2-0 victory at Hardenhuish Park kills off the threat of relegation for Collier's men, with AFC Totton condemned to the drop alongside Bedford Town and Bashley.

A tenacious and confident attacking display from Chippenham saw them put their visitors under the cosh but the breakthrough didn't come until late in the first period, when Banbury handed Alan Griffin the chance to score from an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area following a backpass.

But boss Collier thought that the Bluebirds deserved their piece of good luck.

“We came in off the back of a good performance (a 3-1 win at Truro City last weekend) and it was important that we backed that up,” said the Chippenham manager.

“Our first half was excellent – we passed it well, got the ball into wide areas and got crosses into the box but unfortunately, we didn't score as many clear-cut opportunities as we wanted to.

“I thought we were strong and organised, and there were some big performances, so job done.

“Joe McClennan was back where we want him to be and when he plays like that, he's always a threat to anyone.

“I said to Tom (Jones) when the goal happened that it was a good bit of fortune for us but our first half performance deserved it.

“We'd created enough chances to be two or three goals up but we didn't panic and we kept on plugging away.

“It was just a matter of time until the goal came and when it did come, we were glad no matter how it came.”

The Bluebirds make their rearranged trip to Hungerford Town on Thursday evening and also host the Berkshire play-off chasers on Easter Monday, with that game sandwiched by trips to Hitchin Town and St Neots Town.

Despite his team ensuring that they're staying in the top tier of the Calor League, Collier wants to see his men continue to give their all for the final two weeks of the season.

He said: “One thing we want to do is play with a bit of a smile on our faces but we've got two tough games against Hungerford, who will be all guns blazing because they're still going for the play-offs.

“We've got good supporters at this club and we'll go out and make sure we try and win our next football match, knowing that we're safe and secure on the back of two victories.”

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Kent Kauppinen, Harley Purnell, Pete Monks, Bryan Smith, Jon Beeden, Greg Tindle, Joe McClennan, Corey King (Jake Harris 77), Alan Griffin (Tyron Leigh 86), Lee Phillips, James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Jake Simpson, Ben John.

Attendance: 325

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