FA Trophy First Round: Chippenham Town 3-0 Merthyr Tydfil.

Jake Reid's first half brace sunk Merthyr Tydfil as Chippenham Town battled to the next round.

It was the striker's fifth goal in three games and Aaron Cornwall continued his scoring run with his third goal in three to wrap up the tie in the second half.

With Iain Harvey injured and Kye Holly suspended, Mark Badman captained the side and Iain Carr filled the last midfield spot.

After a scrappy opening, Merthyr almost went ahead after 14 minutes when Kevin Halliday cleared Steve Williams' effort off the line.

The chance gave the Welshman confidence as they looked to assert themselves on the game, playing the more composed football and restricting Chippenham to hopeful long balls forward.

Chris Snoddy almost spilled Matthew Harris' shot into Craig Steins' path as the nervy Bluebirds struggled to cope with an organised Merthyr.

Kevin Halliday was booked as Chippenham's frustrations grew, before they conjured their best first half opening.

Scott Lye found space to thread a pinpoint pass to David Pratt who fired over from the edge of the box after 35 minutes.

Merthyr continued to impress and Snoddy had to be at his best to smother Steins' close range effort after Tareq Khaul's defence splitting pass.

But, surprisingly Chippenham took the lead after 42 minutes when Williams missed Dave Pratt's hopeful punt and Jake Reid shrugged off the challenge of Jamie Rewbury, rounded Ashley Morris and tapped home.

The in form hitman added another three minutes later when Lye swung in a centre from the right and the unmarked Reid headed in from eight yards.

The first half scoreline flattered the Bluebirds but they came out for the second period well, with Reid and Cornwall both going close.

The former Team Bath frontman was chasing his hat-trick and he hit the side netting after cleverly rolling Tarrant Watkins.

But Chippenham went further ahead on the hour when the impressive Lye picked out Cornwall at the far post and his header beat Morris.

As the Bluebirds relaxed the visitors regrouped and the game became a territorial battle, though Kris Dimond could have reduced the arrears but headed over with nine minutes left.

Assistant boss Tommy Callinan was pleased with his and Adie Mings' side, adding: "They had a lot of possession early on and are a very tidy side.

"We were a bit sloppy in the first half but came good in the second and were the better side."

Chippenham Town: Snoddy, Adams, Halliday, Metitiri, Peckham, Carr, Badman (capt), Lye (Etheridge 75), Reid (Gullick, 75), Cornwall (Allison 75), Pratt