MANAGER Nigel Tripp was delighted that his Chippenham Park Development side weren’t caught cold last weekend, despite returning to action following a three-week hiatus.

Park had been without a game since late November before Saturday’s trip to Devizes Town Reserves but Tripp’s side ensured that they’ve earned the right to enjoy their Christmas turkey with a 2-1 victory at Nursteed Road.

Emilio Modrak won the ball back before setting up Matty Legg for Park’s opener and after the visitors got back on level terms around 20 minutes into the second period, captain Alex Pring fired in the winner from the edge of the area following a cleared corner kick.

“We hadn’t played since a game against Wootton Bassett (on November 28) and I did think that we could be a bit rusty,” said Tripp, whose team don’t play again until January 9.

“If we’d lost, the break would feel like a really long one. The young lads all play youth football and things like that but you do worry about the older ones because of Christmas parties and things like that.

“But we’ve got a fit bunch and they put in a performance on a really heavy pitch and in really windy conditions.

“We were able to give a few of the younger lads a game too – Tom Harvey and Dan Billett are both only 16 and both came on – and that’s important for the future.

“It’s a good result and we’re very happy. We can enjoy our break now and look forward to next year.”

Elsewhere, it was honours even between the teams second-from-bottom and third-from-bottom in the table as Wilts Calne Town drew 2-2 with Vale of Pewsey while Malmesbury Victoria’s trip to Wroughton was postponed.

  • WILTSHIRE League table-toppers Trowbridge Town were unable to pull off another relative giant-killing act in the quarter-finals of the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

The Bees, who had already accounted for Downton in the county cup, took on Sydenhams League Premier Division Bemerton Heath Harlequins but were beaten 2-1 in Salisbury.