CHIPPENHAM slipped to a second defeat in as many weeks as they went down 3-1 at home to Bristol University A in Conference North of the GoCreate League.
The visitors started the brighter and had the majority of possession in the opening minutes, however, a mistake in midfield allowed Luke Morris to pick up a loose pass and feed Tim Elliott, whose crash ball across the D was slotted home by Mark Knight.
Chippenham carried the momentum to the end of the first half and created the better opportunities but were unable to increase their lead.
The second half continued at high intensity and the greater fitness of the university students began to tell.
The Bristol side got back on levels terms when they attacked the Chippenham D, making it to the baseline and somehow trickling the ball over the goal-line.
Chippenham continued to play expansive hockey but two quick goals from the visitors put the game beyond their reach.
Meanwhile, Chippenham C returned to winning ways with a workmanlike 1-0 success against a determined Wootton Bassett B side in East Central 2.
The visitors began brightly by pressing the Chippenham defence and Gary Baker and Patrick Law had to work hard to thwart the wingers from getting the ball into the D.
As their confidence started to grow, Chippenham found gaps in the Bassett defence and Matt Baker and Will Pritchett sent in several telling crosses.
With Rick Law and Chris Ware dominating midfield, the pressure eventually told as Tim McKendrick sent in a shot which Ron Ousby touched home at the far post.
Late in the half, Bassett threatened on the odd breakaway, one of which forced Charley Holthom into a smart save low to his right.
Chippenham dominated in the second half, winning a series of short corners, but a solid Bassett defence and good saves from the keeper thwarted the efforts on goal.
As the half wore on, an excellent chance fell to Ron Ousby from a Will Pritchett cross but he could only deflect the ball wide.
Any threat from the visitors was snuffed out by Mark Dodd sweeping behind the midfield and in the dying seconds, Will Thomsett found himself in space but his shot hit the side-netting.
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