Pre Season, a time for testing out new systems and players and assessing what is at your disposal and our first friendly did not disappoint.

With only a handful of first team regulars available due to a recent self isolation spout. Our team had a somewhat new feel to it with the academy and our lads on trial getting a good chance to impress the gaffer and earn a spot at CTFC for the upcoming season.

The game started well with Chippenham spending the majority of the time pressing our lower league opponents Clevedon and forcing their way into the visitors goalmouth early on. Some good chances didn’t quite find their way home but encouraging signs particularly with Alefe Santos recently signed from Weymouth looking very tricky down the left hand side and whipping crosses in for fun as Clevedon struggled to contain his quick feet and football brain.

The game entered half time 0-0 and Mike had a chance to get into his players and when we emerged from the break, that was when our class really came to the fore.

Santos, who had looked dangerous for the first 45, was played in down the right hand side, looked up and hit a laser strike to the goalkeepers right hand side, hit with such venom that the keeper stood no chance and it whistled into the back of the Clevedon net for 1-0 to the home team!

The goal seemed to energise Chippenham who continued to run the hard miles and work their way into the Clevedon penalty area. Good feet from CTFC resulted in a penalty for the Bluebirds. New signing Dan Griffiths stepped up. In a week where penalties had not been out best friend, the Welshman channelled his inner Harry Kane by playing a quick one two with the Clevedon keeper before dispatching for 2-0.

Chippenham kept up the pressure, with a corner from the far side, whipped in, the ball broke to skipper Kieran Parselle who with his right foot, lashed the ball across the face of goal through a crowded penalty area to find the bottom right corner. 3-0 to Chippenham and all three scorers signed on for the upcoming season, encouraging signs for Mike and the Staff.

Then the magic really happened, due to the aforementioned self isolation crisis, Gary Horgan found his way into a kit, made his way onto the pitch and honestly, it might be the biased side of one mans opinion! But not only looked like he wasn’t out of place, but actually impacted the game in a positive way in his mid 40s. The reason this gets such a mention is that this is a man who has served as player, assistant manager and coach and still even now, remains as fit and healthy and able to contribute when called upon. What a true servant and ambassador for this club Horgs really is! And for that 20 minutes alone, Gary scoops my MOTM is his testimonial! The word legend is reserved for very few but Horgs, you are a legend!

Big congrats to the team of volunteers who once again provided a safe and secure return to the ground tor the supporters, it was great to see everyone back and an official attendance of 185 is great for a friendly and what a good game for all in attendance!

We move to Newport at home on Tuesday now with 3 goals, a clean sheet and for now, a 100% record in pre season for the mighty bluebirds COYB