Chippenham Town 2

Warminster Town 0

CHIPPENHAM Town strolled to an easy victory over Warminster Town in the preliminary round of the Les Phillips Cup on Saturday.

Chippenham manager Tommy Saunders, who was named Screwfix Premier Division manager of the month for October, said afterwards: "Sometimes it's just about going through, and not necessarily about playing great football."

Although Chippenham dominated the game, Warminster's defence, and especially their goalkeeper, James Smith, should be given full credit.

The Warminster keeper threw himself in front of a seemingly endless onslaught by the Chippenham forwards, and ended the game with a cut ear, after diving at the feet of a Chippenham player.

Warminster manager Gerry Pearson said: "I think that we did quite well. For 35 minutes we were superb in defence. And if you're going to get knocked out, it might as well be by the champions."

Warminster defended well, keeping out good efforts from Nick Tiley.

Chippenham set the pace in the first half, and would have scored early on, had it not been for the fearless efforts of the Warminster keeper and some hard work by the defence.

However, the quick, controlled passing of the Chippenham forwards eventually wore Warminster down, and in the 38th minute Tiley got his head to the ball from a corner to open the scoring for Chippenham, although Shane Andrews lays claim to the final touch.

Six minutes later, a long throw from Jackson found Mark Cutler in space. The number 10 swung an excellent cross in which once again found Tiley, who got his second goal from another header.

Chippenham were looking strong, and the Premier division side kept up the pressure early on in the second half.

Warminster seemed more organised up front though, and it started to look like a more even match could develop.

Warminster's Jason Manley was booked early on, and Chippenham came close with a free kick that went just wide.

Then a foul by Chippenham's Neil Rosslee on Warminster's John Hayter saw Rosslee booked, and Warminster with a free kick just outside Chippenham's area. A chance for Warminster to get back in the game was wasted, with a shot that Chippenham's keeper, Ian Jones, stopped easily.

Chippenham continued to run things, and Warminster found themselves boxed in their own half, only getting the occasional chance to make runs forward.

James Theobald produced some good chances for Warminster, and Karl Diment also came quite close on a number of occasions.

Towards the end of the match, Chippenham seemed to slow their pace and while Warminster continued to defend well, they failed to convert any of their opportunities into goals.

Chippenham: Jones, Jackson, Andrews, Murphy, Rudge, Skidmore, Tiley, Charity, Bright, Cutler, Rosslee, O'Sullivan, Steve Brown, Burns.

Warminster: Smith, Bennett, Sparey, Manley, Copeland, Delahaye, Diment, Pearson, Theobald, Welsby, Casson, Hayter, Tugwell, Wyatt, R. Hayter, Kember, Nicholl. Subs Pearson, Nichol.

Referee: Mark Edmonds (Tidworth)

Man of the match: Nick Tiley.

Chippenham are away to Hallen in the next round on December 2.