CHIPPENHAM Town coach Matt Bown warned a host of Bluebirds hopefuls that they didn’t do themselves any favours as they crashed to a comprehensive defeat at Corsham Town on Tuesday night.

Chippenham fielded an experimental line-up, predominantly featuring triallists, but three second-half goals won the game for Mel Gingell’s Corsham.

With manager Adie Mings away on holiday, Bown helped take charge of the Bluebirds but the coach was unimpressed with his side’s performance at Southbank.

“It was a prime opportunity for some of the fringe players to show what they could do and unfortunately, I don’t think they performed,” he said.

“I’ve now got to report back to Mingsy and tell him who I think is good enough and who’s done well and to be honest, there weren’t many positives I could take out of it.

“We need to cut the numbers down because we’ve got a good first-team squad, we were maybe looking for that one or two to add and a couple of people like Sam Duggan and Shane Blackmore have done quite well but not too many after that.

“We have had a brilliant pre-season and everybody’s worked really really hard.

“I’ve got to give them their dues because everyone that’s turned up has given 100 per cent but now it’s coming down to the short and sharp stuff and we need to be building ready for Hednesford away, we need to be straight out of the blocks and that’s why we need to start cutting the numbers and getting the first-team squad ready.”

After a goalless first-half, Corsham took the lead through ex-Melksham Town manager and Chippenham defender Wayne Thorne’s low free-kick. Ben Moore grabbed a second for Gingell’s side before Darren Moss rounded off the scoring midway through the half.

The Corsham manager was pleased with his side’s performance and was happy that the friendly took place.

“We played really well and I’m chuffed with the way we performed in the second-half,” said Gingell.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Mingsy and the directors at Chippenham for sending a side over to us, because it was a good thing for the club and there was a good crowd for the lads.”