CHIPPENHAM Town continued their unbeaten start to the new National League South season – and picked up a first win in the process following a 2-0 success at home to Billericay Town on Saturday.

The Bluebirds had began the campaign with back-to-back draws but have now taken their tally to five points from three games following this maiden success.

Mark Collier’s side got off to a dream start as Luke Hopper fired them ahead from the penalty spot with just six minutes on the clock when Callum Gunner was brought down in the box.

Chippenham’s scoreboard advantage then became a numerical one on the half-hour mark as Billericay’s Tambeson Eyong was shown a straight red card.

The Bluebirds were unable to capitalise on that before the break and Billericay then began to come back into the contest in the second half.

Chippenham’s nerves were finally eased in stoppage time at the end, though, when Nat Jarvis lashed home a second goal to seal the points.

Manager Mark Collier said: “We got out of the blocks well and had a couple of early chances before we even got the penalty. We were off the mark very quickly and on the front foot.

“We were good value for that and by half-time we were disappointed we hadn’t scored more as we had created a couple of decent chances.

“Billericay had a man sent off just before half-time but then there is a bit of concern about coming out and playing against 10 men as that is never an easy thing to do.

“The game did even up in the second half, although they did have the elements behind in their favour. They were coming down the slope with driving wind and rain behind them but we dealt with everything they threw at us.

“Towards the end, we managed to get the second goal and saw it out quite comfortably. It was a good day for us.”

The Bluebirds are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Wealdstone.

Pre-season, Collier had stated his belief that Chippenham faced the toughest challenge in their history to remain competitive in an ever-improving National League South.

The Bluebirds boss is therefore thrilled with the solid start his side have made to the campaign.

“We went into this game with three teenagers in midfield against a very experienced team,” said Collier.

“We knew we would be up against it but we had a real intensity about us and a real purpose. We looked tight and compact and difficult to play against.

“We got around the pitch well and the front three were lively.

“Two draws and a victory from the first three. Would we have settled for that before the start of the season? Absolutely.”