Chippenham 0 Hx 4

[cup of tea]

Fantastic result, early exchanges were fairly even but then Hornchurch found another gear and really set about the home side, Will Greenidge causing havoc down the left hand side. Hoping to see the first goal again, what a great free kick by Charlee Adams. Next a well taken goal by Darren McQueen, held his nerve after being put through. Second half more of the same, the home side only demonstrating in glimpses the passing that had been so impressive in the reverse fixture. Great third goal by Angelo Balanta low shot into the bottom corner , again well taken and the 4th - Charlie Pegrum seized on a mistake by a defender to calmly slot home the 4th - much to the delight to a fan club he appears to have picked up! Subs and being 0-4 up appeared to slow us down at the end and our opponents got a few chances at the end, one shot hitting the crossbar and another just needing a touch to knock it in. Hornchurch were clearly the better side however and thoroughly deserved the win. We had the perfect hosts , officials , stewards and fans alike were really friendly , will be looking for this fixture next season. Great way to end a great season back at this level and just a shout out to the away fans who have been tremendous all season. Well done - to everyone! COYU 

[aka PeteBeatz]

To finish ninth in our first season back at this level is an excellent achievement. We’ve come top of the chasing pack. 

[The Pars]

At the start of the season I was aiming for a top half finish so mission well and truly accomplished.

Although for 32 out of our 42 games our league position was in the bottom half.

We were 13th with 3 games to go, so winning the last 3 was very significant.

Before yesterday the last time we were ninth our higher was after our third game of the season when we beat St Albans 1.0 at home on 20 August.

Last season the following teams who finished below us this year got more than 65 points last season: Chelmsford City, Bath City, Aveley, Farnborough, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Slough Town & St Albans City.

Three years from now will we see this season as a high point or a starting point?

What I am glad to be hearing from the club is that there is every intention of this being just the beginning.

[cup of tea]

All above is true, we had a sticky period with a lot of difficult away games. I think it’s a remarkable achievement for the club to be honest. Going into a much more competitive league with clubs with the buying power of Torquay, Maidstone and Borehamwood and to end up with a mid table position I think is a testament to the board, players and management of the football club - also bearing in mind we swapped managers towards the tail end of last season - think we were fortunate that Daryl was available to us. I think it’s going to be a critical time before next season, we saw what happened to Aveley, play offs last season , relegated this season - it’s not an easy league. The ambition (and the issues we face as a club) were all explained in the recent club meeting I was encouraged by that.