Title-chasing Chippenham Town eased to victory in the Dr Martens West Country derby, beating in form Cirencester 3-0.

Chippenham roared into a three goal lead within 17 minutes, and threatened to give Ciren a pre-Christmas stuffing.

But Tommy Saunders' troops proceeded to drop several gears, and were happy to use the remainder of the game as a containing exercise.

A frost-riden pitch had put the game in doubt, but referee Steve Humphrey passed the surface fit for action an hour before kick-off.

There was little doubt which side came to terms with conditions quickest.

The Bluebirds took a mere 41 seconds to break the deadlock.

Grantley Dicks' left-wing corner was met by Matt Rawlins, and his header was bundled in by unmarked defender Nathan Rudge.

It was a nightmare start for Ray Baverstock's side, and the defensive horrors had only just begun.

Within seven minutes, Steve Tweddle doubled Chippenham's lead with his tenth league goal of the season.

Rawlins was again instrumental, crossing low into the box from the right.

Simon Charity failed to connect, but Tweddle was on hand to steer the ball home from 12 yards.

The terrace hero almost grabbed his second moments later, when his thunderous volley whistled wide of Kevin Sawyer's post.

But it was only a brief reprise for Ciren.

With 16 minutes on the clock Tweddle was fouled just outside the box, and Grantley Dicks' innocuous free-kick slipped in through Sawyer's hands.

And that, as they say, was that.

Chippenham were in cruise control, and although Ciren rallied after a shocking start, they never had the weapons to trouble Chippenham's imposing rearguard.

Justin Miller and former Chippenham man Dave Godley both went close after the break, but had Ciren breached the home defence, they were never going to do so thrice.

Chippenham soaked up plenty of Ciren pressure, and looked to counter at every opportunity.

Rawlins and Tweddle continued to cause problems, but Ciren's defence had finally switched on, and coped well with the hot-shots. Albeit too late for Baverstock's liking.

The Ciren supremo made no excuses after his team's defeat.

"I've no complaints with the result, they deserved it on the day," said Baverstock.

"It was game over after a quarter of an hour. We paid for some naive and sloppy defending.

"We've played the Solihulls and the Westons, but Chippenham are right up there. They are no more technically gifted, but they certainly play to their strengths."

Chippenham manager Tommy Saunders were understandably satisfied with his side's continued success. He beamed:

"It was an explosive start, and we were deservedly 3-0 up after 17 minutes. They couldn't get anywhere near us.

"It was over after quarter of an hour, and we make no apologies for that.

"We are in a real groove at the moment. I couldn't be happier with the way things are going.

"We're pleased with the three points, and now we're looking forward to our big game next week with Halesowen."

As Saunders suggests, the win sets Chippenham up nicely for the big one next Saturday a trip to table-topping Halesowen.