CHIPPENHAM TOWN retained the Fred Rutty Cup for the sixth successive season, but were made to work hard for their victory by their plucky Toolstation League neighbours who had keeper Steve Allison to thank for keeping the score respectable.

An early cross from Ryan Campbell saw a diving header from Lee Phillips go past a post whilst the latter headed down a further Campbell cross into the path of Mark Francis who volleyed wide.

Chippenham took the lead on 17 minutes when Alex Ferguson squared the ball to Francis on the edge of the area, who turned and fired home.

Allison then held a shot from Ferguson before Phillips played the ball into the area on 27 minutes for Ferguson to slide the ball home.

As Chippenham continued to pepper the home goal, Ferguson headed over and also saw a shot deflected behind. In between those efforts Kent Kauppinen was forced to push away a shot from Calne skipper Kris Beasley.

The Bluebirds extended their lead on 44 minutes when Phillips firmly headed home a Luke Ballinger corner. However, there was still time for Calne to pull a goal back as Aaron Hopkins became the first player to score against the Bluebirds this pre-season.

Chippenham made all six substitutions at the break, which was to later prove telling as Ryan Campbell limped off after 65 minutes resulting in the Bluebirds playing out the remainder of the match with ten men.

Michael Pook’s 50th-minute shot was turned behind by Allison before Ferguson scored his second seven minutes later when he fastened on to a through ball.

Just past the hour mark Allison twice saved his side as he denied Matt Smith and superbly kept out Ashan Holgate’s close range headed effort. Allson was again alert as he pushed Andy Sandell’s free kick behind for a corner.

Calne scored their second on 77 minutes when Kauppinen’s kick went straight to Hopkins, who fired home.

Chippenham continued to attack as Ferguson skied his shot and Sandell’s effort was deflected out. Matt Smith then fired wide whilst Matt Jones’s free kick went over the bar.

Chippenham: Kauppinen, Norman (McCormack 46), Bevan (Jones 46), Pook, Beeden, Preece (Tindle 46), Ferguson, Ballinger (Smith 46), Francis (Holgate 46, Phillips (Sandell 46), Campbell.

Calne: Allison, Lewis, Trafford (Jones 46), Lovesey (Hamilton 46), Jeffries, Phillimore, Dolman, Himsworth, Hopkins, Allison (Gleep 46), Beasley.