Aaron Cornwall watches as a Halesowen defender makes a splash in Tuesday's abandoned play-off game. PICTURE: Richard Chappell
CHIPPENHAM Town are in action again tonight as they bid to win promotion
from the Southern League Premier Division.
The Bluebirds return to Halesowen after Tuesday night's first play-off match
between the two promotion hopefuls was abandoned after 32 minutes because of
a waterlogged pitch.
The winners are then due to play Team Bath at Twerton Park on Saturday for a
place in the Conference South.
Chippenham were leading 3-2 when Tuesday's game was called off, but despite
his disappointment, Chippenham boss Adie Mings backed the referee's decision
to abandon the game.
Mings said: "It seemed okay at the start but at the end the referee made a
decision for the players' safety to call the game off.
"You don't want anyone getting any serious injuries, the ball was starting
to hold up on a couple of puddles."
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Aaron Cornwall had put The Bluebirds ahead with less than a minute played
before Dean Brennan equalised from the penalty spot.
Halesowen edged ahead on 14 minutes when Eldon Maquemba netted before Ross
Adams levelled matters five minutes later.
David Pratt made it 3-2 soon after but the referee decided to end the game
on 32 minutes.
Chippenham players were visibly frustrated after the game was called off and
Mings said it was the cumulative effect of a number of factors.
Mings said: "They had asked the referee 10 minutes before the game and he
said the pitch was fine and there were no problems.
"We had had a bit of a farce with the penalty where the referee decided to
give the penalty even though he didn't know who handballed it.
"There was a little bit of frustration, I can't criticise referees too much
because it's difficult for him."
Mings admitted the rearranged fixture would cause his team inconvenience,
but remained upbeat.
Mings said: "We've got to make travel arrangements and the lads have got to
get time off work.
"We're the ones who are travelling and making all the sacrifices, but we'll
try and make the negatives into a positive."
Should Chippenham beat Halesowen they will play Team Bath at Twerton Park in
the play-off final after the students beat Bashley 4-1.
When asked if the fixture pile-up was a major problem to his team, Mings
said: "It's going to be a bit of an advantage for Team Bath, they have got
four days off now."
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