Home Away from Home in Derby Win

Two goals in first half stoppage time saw City open 2022 with victory over Chippenham Town at Twerton Park in the second part of this season’s A4 Derby. Ryan Clarke was forced into an early save but City – playing in their red and blue away kit as part of Shelter’s #NoHomeKit campaign – enjoyed the better of a competitive first half. Clear cut chances were at a premium, although City looked to have earned a penalty on 35 minutes when Mo Touray appeared to be tripped in the box but the referee waved away the appeals. This was forgotten as the clock ticked past 45 minutes when Alex Fletcher’s cross was diverted against Richards by his keeper Henry and the ball rolled into the net. A melee by the dugouts after D’Abadia had crashed into the back of Eddie Jones seconds later saw a lengthy delay so it was in the 6th minute of stoppage time when Fletcher did brilliantly on the touchline before lifting the ball over Henry to double City’s lead. The second half began with City pushing for a third goal, Hamilton almost slicing an attempted clearance into his own net, Jack Batten heading the resultant corner narrowly wide then Henry doing well to block Fletcher’s close range effort from a Touray cross. The Bluebirds looked for a way back into the game after this but City dealt confidently with their efforts, only one goalmouth scramble causing real concern amongst the majority of the 2261 strong crowd, to record a festive double over their local rivals.