CHIPPENHAM Town midfielder Matt Smith admits he is glad he is not watching the Bluebirds assault on the Southern League Premier title from afar after turning down potential moves away from Hardenhuish Park last summer.

Having seen Chippenham fight with Poole Town for a large part of last season at the top of the division, only to fall away in the latter stages and not even make the play-offs, Smith felt that Mark Collier’s side had missed their best chance of making it to the highest level in the club’s history.

However, with the likes of Andy Sandell and Dave Pratt leading the line, Smith opted to stick with Town and has not looked back.

“I had a few offers from different clubs to go and I was unsure about leaving but chose to stay at Chippenham,” he said.

“We got so close last season and I thought that was as close as we were ever going to get but we have gone on to another level.

“For me, the likes of Andy Sandell and the addition of Dave Pratt, I thought, this season, we have got a good chance. Having them up front, it just puts fear in the other sides a bit.

“We missed Sands (Sandell) through injury for three weeks but you can see the depth of our squad that we can still go on and win games without him. As good as we have been up front, we’ve been solid in defence with Greg Tindle and Will Richards.”

Chippenham are six points clear of Leamington following Saturday’s 2-0 win at home to Biggleswade and could clinch the league title as early as Good Friday.

However, Smith admits it is no foregone conclusion, with a trip to third-placed Hitchin Town on Saturday, and the former Frome Town man would relish returning to his old club on Easter Monday with the chance of claiming the title in Somerset.

“To go 22 games unbeaten in the Southern Premier League, it is hard to come by,” he added.

“I have been in the league five or six years now and I know every game is tough and there is no easy game to go to.

“To have this unbeaten run is unbelievable and we have just stuck together as a team.

“I think luck has been on our side this year, going to away games and grinding out 1-0 wins.

“Kings Langley away, when we were 1-0 down in the 83rd minute, just summed it up.

“I think we could have won the league there if we do go on and win the league.

“We have just got to concentrate on our games and keep winning because it is in our hands and Leamington can’t afford to drop any points.”