Chippenham Town sent out an early statement of intent for next season by smashing three goals past a shell-shocked Swindon Supermarine in a 3-1 win on Saturday.

While their hopes of the play-offs were halted by some poor displays against the division’s weaker sides the Bluebirds finished strongly with a trio of victories in their final games.

A first half onslaught was too much for their local rivals at the weekend with David Pratt, Luke Gullick and Lewis Powell all netting in a frenetic 15 minute spell.

“That was the way we were last season, ruthless” said boss Adie Mings. “We were starting brightly with a tempo and getting our noses in front.

“Then sides had to open up to come at us and we were picking them off. This seaon it hasn’t quite been that way.”

Pratt received his now customary barrage of heavy challenges on his return to his former club at the start of the game and it was foul on the striker which earned Chippenham a penalty on 16 minutes.

The Bluebirds’ top scorer dusted himself down to convert the spot-kick and they were 2-0 up when Luke Gullick tapped in at the back post from a Ross Adams free-kick.

Powell, preferred to Sean Seavill in the starting line-up, headed in a third on 31 minutes before the home side had even had a shot on goal.

Nick Stanley did pull one back for Swindon with a fierce 30 yard free-kick before half-time but the expected fightback failed to materialise.

Defender Enock Boateng saw red in the second half after receiving a second booking for a wild lunge at Gullick.

James Martin has Chippenham’s best chance to extend their lead, after a precise pass from Ashley Williams, but both sides seemed content with the scoreline.

Hemel Hempstead’s victory over Gloucester City meant the Bluebirds did not miss out on the play-offs due to their three-point deduction alone and other results saw them finish in eighth place.

Chippenham Town: Snoddy, Adams (Harvey 84), Halliday, Williams, Casey, Lamb, Lye (Martin 34), Allison (Seavill 64), Pratt, Powell, Gullick.