Chippenham hit back to win friendly (From Wiltshire Times)

Chippenham hit back to win friendly

6:58pm Wednesday 17th September 2008

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Chippenham 2, Cheltenham 1

FOLLOWING on from a successful Summer League campaign, Chippenham continued their good form in their pre-season friendlies with a strong performance and 2-1 win over tough opposition.

The visitors started the stronger side and created a few early chances, but the majority of the opening exchanges were played in the Chippenham half.

The deadlock was broken in the 13th minute by Cheltenham as Chippenham was still trying to steady themselves. The visitors were a well-drilled side and took the lead with some excellent first time passing and using the full width of the pitch.

After overcoming the initial period of pressure, Chippenham steadied and began to play the style of hockey that coach Dave Ward has generated in the team.

The conceding of the first goal together with growing confidence resulted in Chippenham stepping up a gear. This time it was Chippenham who displayed some excellent passing around the defence and some lovely flowing movement up the pitch. Experienced team member Darren Bean played a pivotal role as sweeper and turned defence into some fine, accurate passing.

After 20 minutes, Chippenham had really got into their stride. Luke Morris, James Hamilton and Alex Thomas began to play some fluid hockey and the short, sharp passing presented chances for both Morris and Ben Jones, but despite the pressure from Chippenham, Cheltenham held out to take a slender 0-1 lead into the half-time break.

A different Chippenham side turned up for the second half. Some strong defensive work from Damo Heartford at right-back and Nigel Stonham at centre-back prevented some early wing pressure from Cheltenham's tricky left-midfield player.

The equaliser came ten minutes into the second half. A well-worked goal saw Dave Ward break from the left-back position to play a quick one-two with Thomas. His run into the Cheltenham D opened up a pass from Ward to the waiting Morris. He weaved his way pass the defender and slipped the ball to Mark Knight, who did well to create an opening for the home team.

Knight's initial shot rebounded awkwardly off his pad which left AJ Thomas with a tricky tap-in at the far post - a well-deserved goal for the home side.

Cheltenham, who play in the North Division One, are used to bouncing back quickly and immediately attempted to regain the lead, but Chippenham goalkeeper Howard Simons made some fine challenges on the edge of the D which thwarted Cheltenham's chances.

In the final ten minutes it was evident Chippenham were tiring, but in the final four minutes another series of one-touch passing between Hamilton, Morris and Henry Price on the wing led to Price turning his defender to draw a foul.

The free hit saw a one-two pass between Stonham and Thomas with Thomas playing the ball into the D for Morris to sweep into the unguarded Cheltenham goal.

The game ended in victory for the home side whose attitude and level of hockey was key to their winning this tough contest.

The players thanked Dave Ward for his efforts and coaching over the summer period and Howard Simons also for astute captaincy regarding team selection and tactics.

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