FA TROPHY

Chippenham Town 3, Hillingdon Borough 0 (aet)

ALAN Griffin broke Hillingdon hearts on Tuesday night when his deflected volley sparked an avalanche of extra-time goals.

The substitute striker took just five minutes to achieve what his team-mates couldn't do in 90 when his instinctive shot looped over Ben Harris into the roof of the net.

Griffin tormented the leg-weary Hillingdon defence, who, prior to his introduction, had coped easily with everything Chippenham could muster.

The game opened up in extra-time and Ross Adams and Sam Allison both netted for the Bluebirds to give the scoreline a flattering edge.

Griffin was the sole architect of Hillingdon's downfall, so much so that manager Darren Perrin will have to think twice before leaving him out against Mangotsfield.

A favourite with the Hardenhuish faithful, Griffin hopes his fifth strike of the season will secure him a starting berth alongside Dave Gilroy tomorrow.

He said: "Nobody wants to sit on the bench, but it's the manager's decision who he plays.

"I had the 40 minutes in goal at Tiverton last week, but obviously that's not ideal. Apart from that I've not really been involved.

"It doesn't seem to be happening for me at the moment, but I'll just keep my head down in training and work even harder.

"If I get chance to play up front on Saturday I will do everything I can to help Chippenham again."

Perrin will no doubt be suffering from a selection headache tonight as he ponders who should partner the prolific Gilroy.

Former Mangotsfield marksman Martin Paul is favourite to lead the line against his old team-mates, while Sam Allison threw his name into the hat with his extra-time strike against Hillingdon.

Perrin insists Griffin has given himself every chance of landing the number 10 jersey tomorrow.

He said: "Alan has thrown down the gauntlet with his performance tonight. His all-round contribution when he came on was fantastic.

"I thought he held the ball up well and got a bit of luck with the goal."

Perrin says his team selection will be made with the merits of Mangotsfield in mind, and not the allegiance of the club's passionate supporters.

If that means leaving Griffin on the bench to make another late impact the Chippenham boss is willing to do so.

He said: "I am the manager and I will pick the team. I select the team that I think will win football matches for Chippenham Town.

"Alan Griffin is still a young lad and he's still learning. I want what's best for him and the club."

Griffin's timely intervention on Tuesday breathed new life into the Chippenham cause after Hillingdon had threatened to cause an FA Trophy upset.

The Southern League Division One South and West side looked confident on the ball and restricted their hosts to long shots for most of the game.

Gilroy placed a shot so wide it went out for a throw-in and Adam Garner headed straight at Harris in a forgettable first half.

Hillingdon play-maker James Duncan tested Chris Snoddy's handling after 47 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the box.

Skipper Matt Kidson then wasted a glorious chance to put the visitors in front with a tame volley from Sammy Byfield's free-kick.

Sean Seavill looked most likely to create a goal for Chippenham before he was replaced by Griffin on the stroke of full-time.

Five minutes later the hosts were in front when Griffin's strike hit the unfortunate Kidson and sailed into the top corner of the net.

Griffin almost created a second when his fizzing cross was met by skipper Ian Herring, whose header rattled the bar from eight yards.

Herring turned provider in second half extra-time when his corner was headed home by Ross Adams.

Mark Badman was then sentenced to an early bath by referee Andrew Newell for a dangerous two-footed lunge on Byfield.

Substitute Sam Allison wiped out any hopes of a Hillingdon comeback with a neat left-foot finish from Gilroy's lay-off.

Chippenham will face Hellenic League outfit Didcot at home in the next round on November 4.