MARK Collier called in a family favour on Wednesday night as he cast his eyes over Chippenham Town’s next FA Cup opponents.

After triumphing 1-0 at last season’s FA Vase champions Sholing, the Bluebirds were handed an FA Cup second round qualifying tie against Hellenic League Ardley Town on Saturday September 27.

With Oxfordshire outfit Ardley taking on Shrivenham, who are managed by Collier’s son Sam, on Wednesday night, the Hardenhuish Park boss was able to take a first-hand look at the team looking to upset his Chippenham side later this month.

And despite admitting that the Bluebirds will be the overriding favourites to progress to the third qualifying round, Collier is wary of a banana skin result.

“When you look up the list of the clubs that we could have gotten, you’re pretty happy to draw a side from the Hellenic League, especially at home,” said the Chippenham manager.

“But they’ve gone to Slough and won (2-1) in the last round. They’ve also got some players that have played for Banbury United in their ranks.

“It’s a banana skin and we’ve got to be ready to perform when the game comes around.”

Already missing a host of bodies, Chippenham’s task at Sholing was made all the more difficult as Alex Ferguson pulled out of Saturday’s clash during the warm-up, with the midfielder still suffering from a concussion picked up in last week’s league defeat against Weymouth.

His place was taken by Iain Harvey, who set up the winning goal after seven minutes as he played a quick free-kick to makeshift striker Jordan Roberts.

Roberts played the ball across goal, cutting out home keeper Matt Brown and leaving Luke Ballinger to slot the ball home his fourth goal of the season.

The remainder of the half saw Brown pull off a magnificent close-range save to deny Conor McCormack after the chance had been created for the Bluebirds’ full-back by a bout of head tennis from Greg Tindle and Roberts.

Hosts Sholing always threatened an equaliser but the Southampton-based side lacked a clinical finisher in the box, although Kent Kauppinen had to be alert to tip over a Kevin Brewster free-kick.

After the break, Chippenham defended their lead and restricted the Hampshire side to just one chance.

New Bluebirds’ recruit Michael Pook headed straight at Brown from a James Guthrie corner, and the latter also saw his shot beaten away by the home keeper.

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