Angels were given a testing examination by an experienced and skilful Chippenham side but came through with flying colours matching everything that their visitors could throw at them. 

It was an identical starting line up to that which fell to a 2-0 defeat at Dartford the previous Saturday.  There was a new name on the bench however that of Tariq Hinds a defender who played as a trialist in the 3-2 friendly win against Hythe Town a few weeks back.     

This was a good advert for National South that saw two sides produce some fine passing football but it was to be the hosts that would take the all the points. 

A first 45 minutes that saw Angels take a 1-0 lead which on the balance of play was deserved. Soares-Junior was the pick of the home players who managed to create three clear cut chances for himself before scoring in the 14th minute following good work by Collins.  

It should have been a second goal for Angels in the 19th minute when Collins missed what seemed to be a tap in after a defence splitting cross from Crowhurst. 

It was not until the half hour mark that Chippenham began to show some enterprise.  Bradbury warmed Henly’s right hand glove with a fierce drive and four minutes later the ball was laid back to Mehew  but his effort cleared the cross bar.  Nevertheless as the half time whistle approached Chippenham were giving notice that they were still very much in the game. 

The visitors made a bright start to the 2nd half with Parker going close at the back post, an effort from skipper Hamilton and Greenslade grazing the Angels post with a header. 

The Angels however gradually re-asserted control and on 60 minutes a fine move involving Santos, Crowhurst, with Gard applying the finishing touch saw the hosts go 2-0 into the lead. 

Chippenham continued to press with Greenslade going close but Angels defence was in mean mood and their covering was always sound. Substitute Fagg for Tonbridge threatened on a couple of occasions to get a third but  the scoreline stayed the same for a deserved and hard working win for the home side.

Afterwards, Angels Boss Jay Saunders said: “Delighted with the clean sheet and of course the three points.  Everyone played their part against a good Chippenham side.  I felt we let them get a bit of a foothold on proceedings either side of half time but we’ve seen it through.”

Picture : David Coudridge.  Lewis Gard celebrates after putting Angels 2-0 ahead