CHIPPENHAM TOWN BLUEBIRDS FANS FORUM

Well earned win tonight. Was concerned when Slough scored, that Chippenham might instinctively defend too deep but that didn't happen. Apart from a couple of scares thought the team managed the game quite well so fair play. Wanjau -Smith played well - has much more purpose about him. Liked the look of the lad Phillips  who is a good footballer - very busy and always looking to play forward. Maybe the team's position in the league dictated it, but a start full of intent was good to see and ultimately a important factor in getting the three points.

Last night was confirmation of the fact that we are, at last, playing more potent, positive and  entertaining football.... and.. getting rewarded for it.  We ran at the opposition at almost every opportunity in the first half and had  4 golden chances.. 2 of which we took.  Agree that the penalty was pretty soft.. but the resulting goal (just!!) was fair reward for our early dominance. The second goal was a delight and finished off by the very deserving Billy Phillips.. who seems to typify our positive, go-get-'em attitude at the moment.
Slough were much better than I expected and caused us all sorts of problems from the off in the second half.  They were relentlessly direct and had the pace and skill particularly down the flanks to give SWS and Sebastian D a pretty torrid time. We held firm ultimately thanks to Will Henry and the underside of the crossbar... plus everyone putting in a really decent unglamorous shift. I'm not sure that we did sit back.  We were certainly  pushed back, scrambling around reppeately as long, goalie-released ball flew in to our half to be picked up by their runners.

One for the " I Spy" book.  A corner for us in the last 15 minutes or so, and the sight of 10 players (!!)  in and around the centre circle ( 5 of theirs matched by 5 of ours, meaning only 4 of our players were in their pen area to receive the corner). They repeatedly tried the tactic of keeping 3 men at the half way line at our corners in the hope of a quick breakaway.  .... and it nearly came off for them. 

All-in-all, good entertainment and the barrier of 20 points breached.. leaving us 5 away from leaving the "R" zone. Ebbsfleet have won their last 3 on the trot, so Saturday will be difficult.  For anyone who has been absenting themselves because of our pretty dire, lateral, unadventurous play ... there is a marked difference now and ambition and bravery are being rewarded. Long may it continue.....

Last edited by Rambler (14/1/2026 1:52 PM)

Great to see Billy Phillips loan extended til the end of the season, has been a very encouraging start to his loan.