CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier was left disappointed by his side’s points return from their four festive fixtures and has since called for a reaction on Saturday when they travel to face relegation threatened Tonbridge Angels.

Angels occupy the first of two relegation spots in National League South, and Chippenham currently sit only two points clear of that two-team frame with well over half of the season completed.

Defeat to Bath City on New Year’s Day confirmed Bluebirds’ packed Christmas schedule ended in frustrating circumstances, with the club adding only three points to their tally in games against Chelmsford, Bath (twice) and Dorking.

Another loss this weekend will see Chippenham drop down to – at best – 19th. Therefore, Collier has stressed the importance of dodging a scrap to avoid relegation by registering positive results sooner than later.

He said: “All games are tough, and we understand that Tonbridge is a difficult place to go.

“It’s a long journey that logistically isn’t a great one, but we must dust ourselves down and go again.

“We knew these games over the Christmas period would be tough – Chelmsford, Maidstone, Dorking and our two games against Bath.

“We’ve only picked up four points from those games, which is disappointing, though I feel we deserved more.

“But that is football, we’ve let in too many and not scored enough.”

Though central defender Luke Haines returned to parent club Swindon last month amid Richie Wellens’ need to add back-up defenders to his matchday 18, it’s at the other end of the pitch where Collier is hoping to add some firepower.

Both Collier and assistant Gary Horgan are relentlessly considering options, and the manager isn’t afraid to make changes should he feel they will benefit his squad.

He added: “If someone becomes available, then we’d like to think we could do that.

“Myself and Gary (Horgan) are constantly looking and speaking to different people about the way we could change things.

“We shouldn’t be conceding three either. Defensively, we have been relatively sound.”

Following Bluebirds’ visit to Tonbridge at the weekend, Collier’s side then face another brutal run of fixtures throughout January.

Hemel Hempstead visit Hardenhuish Park on Tuesday, January 7, before three games in 10 days concludes the month.

Those games are against Dulwich Hamlet, Havant & Waterlooville and Concord Rangers.