CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Shuffling the pack is all in the game for Rudge (From Wiltshire Times)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Shuffling the pack is all in the game for Rudge

4:30pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport News By Dan Barnes

BLUEBIRDS boss Nathan Rudge concedes the high turnover of players at Hardenhuish Park this campaign is all part of his search for the right blend in his squad.

Veteran defender Jim Rollo brought his 11-week spell with the club to an end earlier this week as he returned to Bath City as a player-coach.

Rudge meanwhile is still hoping to convince striker Lewis Powell to re-sign for Chippenham from Frome Town but says while player ins and outs have happened more regularly than he expected, no signings have been made on a whim.

“Some supporters might wonder why we’ve had so many but it is a learning curve for us this season and we’re trying to build for the future by getting the right people in,” said the Bluebirds boss.

“You can’t really win because if you stick with the same players, people say you should be doing something about it and if you are trying to act, then people wonder why there are so many players coming in and out. We don’t sign players willy-nilly.

“I also want to say thanks to Jim because he’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He’s done great for us but he had the chance to go back to what is his club.”

Chippenham had their claims for a penalty waved away in the first half after Alan Griffin appeared to be chopped down in the area by Arlesey’s Ryan Frater.

Drew Roberts’ strike gave the hosts the lead in the first minute of the second half and the forward netted his second four minutes later.

Shane Blackett had a shot blocked on the line by Alex Kite but Chris Dillon was on hand to make it 3-0 before Arlesey hammered the final nail into the coffin in the 89th minute as Kim Forsythe cracked in a scorching effort from an unlikely angle.

•  Chippenham will travel to Cambridge City on Tuesday April 9 after that clash was postponed for a fourth time on Tuesday evening due to a frozen pitch.