CHIPPENHAM Park manager Joe Sharples took plenty of encouragement from his youthful side’s midweek Wiltshire Senior Cup two-goal loss at home against Highworth Town.

Toumani Sidibi and Matt Grabe were on target for the visitors as Sharples’ men faced their second cup exit of the season, following their FA Vase defeat by Bitton.

But the result enhanced Sharples’ confidence in his younger players though as Chippenham Park made nine changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Oldland Abbotonians at the weekend in the Toolstation League First Division.

Sharples said: “We’re a new squad so we’re always looking at new players.

“We played our reserves really, so to come away with only a two-goal loss wasn’t bad.

“It was a close game and Highworth scored their second goal at the death. I was pleased with our young team.

“We had a lot of teenagers playing and they did themselves justice.

“There’s a lot of competition for places at the moment, and that is something we’re always looking at.

“We wanted to use the cup competitions to experiment with our squad, but – unfortunately for us – we drew Bitton in the FA Vase and Highworth in the county cup.”

While Sharples admits his side are lacking presence offensively, the Park boss has backed a change in fortunes.

Having that nous to put the ball in the back of the net is something Sharples will be working on ahead of this weekend’s rescheduled trip to face mid-table Sherborne.

He said: “We’re not winning games, but our performances have been good.

“We need to find someone that will take responsibility up front to put the ball in the net. I know that sounds cliché and basic, but when we’ve looked back at games we understand that we’ve been playing well.”

Elsewhere in the Wiltshire Senior Cup, Calne Town had Stu Windsor to thank as they edged past Pewsey Vale 1-0 on Tuesday, having thrashed Portishead Town in the league on Saturday

Also in the Toolstation League First Division, Corsham Town were held to a goalless draw by Radstock,