Chippenham regained their place at the top of the league with an important win against local side Bassett who provided a stern test in this highly competitive but enjoyable derby game.

The visitors took the early initiative forcing ‘keeper Howard Simons to make an important save.

After this Chippenham relaxed and retained possession well, especially at the back with Dave Ward, Nigel Stonham, Darren Bean and Chris Sampson frustrating a hard working Bassett forward line. Early chances fell to Cameron Main who rounded the ‘keeper but placed his shot into the side netting from a tight angle and then to Stonham, whose short corner flick was well saved by the visiting keeper who played well throughout.

After about 15 minutes Chippenham took the lead with patient build-up started by Sampson on Chippenham’s right transferred the ball through Stonham to left back Dave Ward on the 25 yard line. His fired in ball found an unmarked Mark Knight who scored his first of the day with a first time deflection.

The visitors upped the pressure and came close to scoring when their young forward broke through but had the ball stolen by the home ‘keeper who came out quickly to smother, Nigel Stoneham cleared the danger.

Just before half time Bassett scored the equaliser from an unfortunate short corner with a sweetly struck shot.

Frank words were exchanged at half time and Chippenham started the second half in good spirits and didn’t have to wait that long before they regained their lead.

Excellent link play between Ward and Ian Gould released Colin Fisher on Chippenham’s left he beat a player and feed the ball onto Luke Morris, his excellent ball in was dummied by Ben Jones which committed the keeper leaving Mark Knight the task of beating the defenders on the line which he did with ease firing the ball into the top corner.

Alex Thomas then went extremely close with a reverse stick effort which just flew over the bar. It was now Chippenham’s turn to absorb some pressure with Bean making some important last man challenges at sweeper coupled with some excellent marking and work rate by the home team back four.

Bassett won a succession of short corners but were kept out by some good goalkeeping and some cool heads under a spell of sustained pressure. When the pressure seemed to have lifted Chippenham inadvertently gave the ball away at the top of their D with just the ‘keeper to beat, aware of the danger Howard Simons was quickly onto him and saved well twice to allow time for his defenders to get back and then Nigel Stonham again cleared well to safety.

With the game being no-where near safe with ten minutes to go Chippenham rallied and won a short corner through James Hamilton’s driving run and for the first time the routine clicked with Morris and Stonham combining for Stonham to finish well from the penalty spot.

With a few minutes to go the hard working Ben Jones completed the scoring when he capitalised on a mistake in the Bassett defence to finish well at the far post after a searching ball played in by Colin Fisher.

Chippenham finished strongly and had further chances in the last few minutes but were kept out by excellent goalkeeping and determined defending.

The final whistle brought about an important three points and a fine return against good opponents in an enjoyable but competitive game.

Chippenham will need to be at their best to secure an important three points away to Firebrands next week.