CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier refused to worry about being upstaged by his own son during his team’s first pre-season friendly of the summer.

On Tuesday, the Bluebirds took on Hellenic League Shrivenham, who are managed by Collier junior Sam, and ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from trialist Ben Pring, a former Cambridge United U18 player, who lives in Chippenham.

The Bluebirds boss was in no doubt where the family bragging rights would have gone had his side lost, but was keen to focus on his team’s preparations for the upcoming Southern League Premier Division season.

“I wouldn’t have heard the end of it (if we had lost). But it wasn’t about me and Sam, it was about pre-season for Chippenham Town,” said Collier.

“We got some good fitness out of people, which was important and there were obviously a couple of shining lights.

“I thought (Conor) McCormack was outstanding at right-back and Ellis Dunton has been away for a week but I thought he gave us good shape and looked very solid at left-back.

“(Bryan) Smith, (Matt) Coupe and (James) Guthrie made a difference in the second half.

“But it was a typical first pre-season friendly. People’s timing and shape was out because there were a lot of new faces but it served the purpose and sets us up for the next friendly, where we’ll aim to step it up a little bit more.”

Chippenham travel to Collier’s former side Swindon Supermarine this weekend, the match arranged to support injured midfielder Rob Dean, who played for both clubs before suffering a career-ending knee dislocation last season.

Collier added: “The pitch is outstanding (at Marine), which gives everyone a chance to play their football.

“I’ve got a lot of friends there and there are a lot of players there that are still there from my days. They’ve obviously been a bit unfortunate to not get promoted over the last couple of years and I’m sure they’ll have another good go this season.”

Elsewhere, Melksham Town were beaten 2-1 by Southern League outfit Mangotsfield United on Tuesday, Darren Perrin’s men also notching up a 5-2 victory over Westbury United last weekend.

Paul Braithwaite’s Wootton Bassett Town lost 1-0 to Cirencester Town but beat Old Woodstock Town 3-0 on Saturday, thanks to two goals from James Skinner and a Levi Cox strike.

On Saturday, Devizes Town suffered a 3-0 loss to Wiltshire League champions Southbrook, while Pewsey Vale were beaten 1-0 by Purton.

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