CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Chippenham Town 3 Weymouth 0 (From Wiltshire Times)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Chippenham Town 3 Weymouth 0

10:54pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Sport By Dan Barnes

Chippenham Town claimed their long-awaited first victory of the new year tonight as they beat Weymouth in the only Evo-Stik League Premier Division fixture of the night.

A combination of last-ditch defending and the woodwork prevented the visitors from taking the lead in the first half but a stirring second half performance from the Bluebirds saw them romp to all three points at Hardenhuish Park.

The home side could have gone ahead in the opening minute when Alan Griffin was put clean through on goal by Ian Herring’s lofted pass but the striker’s weak effort was gratefully claimed by Terras keeper Nick Jordan.

Despite the early drama, the game didn’t spring to life again until the half-hour mark, with Weymouth’s Scott Dixon crossing in for Jamie Coutts to head against the crossbar, with striker Warren Byerely failing to latch on to the rebound.

Minutes later, Dave Gilroy jinked past a host of Terras defenders at the other end and set-up James Guthrie, whose shot was finger-tipped round the post by Jordan.

Shortly afterwards, Gilroy then smartly set-up Guthrie again from Herring’s throw and this time the winger’s shot with his weaker right foot trickled inches wide of the near post.

In the 40th minute, Weymouth again struck the crossbar, with Craig Duff’s stunning bolt from the blue smacking against the woodwork from outside the box.

Striker Byerley then put a free-header over the bar and saw shots blocked by Chippenham keeper Tommy Smith and Ashley Williams in quick succession.

Bluebirds skipper Williams was again on-hand to deny Byerley on the stroke of half-time, blocking an effort on the goal-line.

Chippenham were on the front foot right from the off in the second period, with Griffin just failing to get on to the end of Ross Stearn’s goalbound effort.

And in the 58th minute, they broke the deadlock when Guthrie crossed from the left flank and Griffin opened up his body to stroke the ball into the net with his right foot.

Five minutes later, the Bluebirds doubled their lead when Gilroy headed the ball forward into the path of strike partner Griffin, who timed his run perfectly to stay onside.

The Chippenham striker waited for Jordan to come off his line and side-footed past the Terras keeper for his and his side’s second of the night.

Griffin’s chance for a hat-trick would come shortly afterwards but his back-post header from Stearn’s cross was palmed wide.

Ten minutes after breaking the deadlock, Adie Mings’ side were 3-0 up when Gilroy picked up the ball on the edge of the area and made space for himself before shooting across the face of goal and in off of the left-hand post.

As the half wore on, Williams received the ball back from Griffin’s backheel and burst into the box before squaring to Gilroy but the striker scooped his shot wide.

The Chippenham frontman again had the chance to equal strike partner Griffin’s brace in the 81st minute when he was set up by Guthrie but Jordan dived bravely at his feet to gather the ball to safety.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Tommy Smith, Ian Herring, Shaun Lamb, Ashley Williams, Steve Casey, Alex Kite, Scott Lye, Ross Stearn, Dave Gilroy, Alan Griffin (Luke Gullick 78), James Guthrie.

Subs not used: Nathan Rudge, Mani Randhawa, Iain Harvey, Richard Evans.

Attendance: 305