Gary's View
Home to Chippenham
Posted by Webmaster
Sep 6, 2009, 20:46

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I was naturally delighted with the performance against a strong Chippenham side. Like ourselves, they came into the game full of confidence having not been beaten this season, so we knew we were going to be in for a strong test.

I thought they started the livelier of the two, but after the first 10 minutes we started to get a foothold in the game, and although we missed first half opportunities, I thought we deserved our victory.

Before the goal, we should have been in front, and I must admit that following the chances missed by Steve Gentle and Lee Chaffey that it was going to be one of those days, but John Frendo’s goal made up for it. It was a fantastic strike, and underlines what I have been saying throughout about him being an excellent finisher, and a handful for any team at this level.

After the goal, I thought we played out the rest of the match pretty well. However, we also knew that they were going to come at us in an attempt to rescue something from the game. Late on, we were grateful to Zac Barrett for a couple of good saves, and he is once again proving what an excellent keeper he is, and is unflappable between the sticks.

As I said, Chippenham are certainly one of the more physical sides in this division, and I feel that last year, it would have been a game that we could have quite easily lost. This year we are a different proposition in that we are physically stronger throughout. Defensively, we are in good shape, and the addition of Laurie Stewart - who I thought had another excellent game - has enhanced our back line. The midfield partnership of Adie Cambridge and Robbie Nightingale is working well and proving to be effective, and our attacking options have improved with the addition of John Frendo. So overall, I feel we are a good unit, and are in much better shape than last year.

That said, clearly, we are missing Scott Neilson and I am still seeking a replacement. With that in mind, I went back to Royston last week with an improved offer for Luke Robbins who I would still like to bring to the club. They have rejected our offer once more, but I would still like to pursue it, and we shall see how it all develops.

On the injury front, all the lads came through the Chippenham game unscathed. That said, Robbie Nightingale has a slight knock, but he should be OK for the Daventry game next week.

It’s fantastic going into the FA Cup part of the season unbeaten, but next week we face a tough Daventry side who haven’t conceded a goal in their league all season. I watched them last week and they are a physical, lively side, similar to Lowestoft who we played at the same stage last year, so we should not be complacent about facing them. It will be a cup final for them, and we need to be on our guard if we are going to progress.


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