CHIPPENHAM Town manager Gary Horgan thought his sider were “deserved winners” following a dramatic 2-1 victory against Dartford at The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Saturday.
Jordan Young’s 91st-minute free-kick won the game for the Bluebirds, after Alefe Santos’ penalty levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time.
The result saw Chippenham achieve their second league victory of the season.
On the match, Horgan said: “We started the better team, we controlled possession.
“We started quite well, and then conceded a goal before half-time which was disappointing. But then we were gifted a penalty just before half-time which got us back in at 1-1, and I don’t think it would’ve been just had we gone in 1-0 down at half-time.
“That gave us something to build on in the second half.
“They continued to be very direct, and we handled that comfortably I felt, and it was just a case of us continuing to be patient, continuing to try and press them for that all-important goal.”
Dartford took the lead in the 39th minute through a Maxwell Statham header, before Chippenham were awarded a penalty right on half-time as Santos was brought down by Jordan Wynter.
Santos stepped up and equalised for the Bluebirds, despite goalkeeper Joe Young’s best efforts.
Young then dramatically dispatched a stoppage-time free-kick after he was brought down by Statham outside the box.
Reflecting on the moment Young was brought down outside the area, Horgan said: “That gave us an opportunity and you’re hoping Jordan does what Jordan does, thankfully he was able to do that.
“It’s nice for something to drop our way really. I felt in a couple of games we haven’t had the rub-of-the-green – we missed a couple of really good chances at home to Chelmsford and ended up drawing that one. And in most of the other games, we have dominated the ball and not really made those chances count.”
The Bluebirds repeated the trick on Tuesday night, defeating Oxford City 1-0 at home thanks to another last-minute winner.
Young once again was the hero, stepping up from the spot to score after Santos was fouled in the area.
The fixture was re-arranged from its original date of August 16 on compassionate grounds, after defender Pablo Martinez collapsed due to a cardiac arrest during a game a few days prior.
Chippenham’s results leave them 10th in the Vanarama National League South, with an upcoming trip to fifth-placed Braintree, who are so far unbeaten at home in the league, on Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here