CHIPPENHAM will be hoping to emulate their biggest scoreline of the season when Southern Premier Division strugglers Dunstable Town visit Hardenhuish next Saturday.

The Bluebirds marched to a crushing 6-0 win at Dunstable's Creasey Park on the opening day of the season.

Since then Dunstable have been forced to trim their squad because of financial problems due to low attendances. The enforced departure of their better players has prompted a slide down the table that has left them planted firmly at the bottom.

Manager Paul Reeves believes his side could have comfortably finished in mid-table without the money problems .

He said: "We were forced to let go of some good players. We have a very young and inexperienced squad now."

But he believes his side can improve and beat the drop.

"We can stay up in the Premier League,'' he said. " We are currently rebuilding and are in the process of bringing a few more players to Creasey Park."

Losing influential goalscorer Grant Carney, who has bagged 11 this term, to rivals Hemel Hempstead has made his job more difficult.

Ex-England U18 star Adam Turner and midfield general Cole Springs moved to Crawley Green.

And Reeves is also hampered by the loss of powerhouse defender and sweeper Dean Walker who is out for most of the season with a knee ligament injury.

He aid: "We have lost the backbone of our side and it has hit us hard. We play with a sweeper to stop the goals leaking in, it is a bit difficult when your sweeper gets injured."

The boss doesn't expect his side to get revenge for the opening day thrashing. "If we get anything from the game it will be a bonus,'' he said. "Chippenham are well organised and one of the best sides we have played against all season.

"The two lads up front (James Constable and Martin Paul) did very well for them and I'm sure they will be a threat again."

Reeves' only cause for optimism is the form of young forward Tommy Hayes. The robust striker has fired in nine goals this season and the manager is hoping Hayes will fire more to lift his side towards safety.