O's WIN AFTER STIRRING COMEBACK

After going behind late in the first half, Oldland roared back after the break and a David Stone penalty closely followed by Josh Dempsey's winner ensured a third win in four games and a three place rise in the table to fifth spot

After their comprehensive victory over Devizes on Saturday, O's boss Dale Dempsey was forced into making six changes to the winning side. Karim Rendall and Tom Welling were suspended along with the unavailability of Ryan Dunn, Ali Bamford and Ashley Bernard. Josh Williams dropped to the bench as Jack Parker, Lewis Parker, Jordan Richards, Jack Boughton and Paul Coles came in. There was also a rare start for Josh Dempsey who took up an unfamiliar left back role to cover for a defence that had completely changed inside three days!!

The first half saw both sides having difficulty coping with a surprisingly hard and bumpy pitch considering the recent wet weather. There were chances at either end with Jack Parker spurning an opportunity after Scott Robson squared for him. Chippenham Park then took the lead on 44 minutes through striker Darrin Ross, a blow to the home side right on half time.

The second half began with O's keen to get an early leveller, Robson testing Sam Thomson, Chippenham's keeper with an ambitious attempt from 35 yards. Dempsey tried the same two minutes later before Dempsey, the boss, made a double switch just after the hour mark, bringing on Tommy Hutton and Josh Williams for Tom Morgan and Paul Coles. The change enabled Dempsey to go up top and Hutton to slot in at left back.

Within eleven minutes, the whole dynamic of the game had changed and swung dramatically in favour of the O's. After Dempsey had curled a beauty against the joint of crossbar and post, he then broke into the box before being brought down. Referee Ian Parsons awarded the spot kick and David Stone slotted home the penalty for his 14th goal of the campaign.

Momentum had swung in favour of Oldland now and sub Williams produced an inch perfect through ball for Dempsey to run on to and lash home from a narrow angle. Frustration began to bubble in the Chippenham ranks after the perceived injustice of the penalty and Park's Shane Blackmore earned himself a straight red for a challenge on Stone in the centre of the park.

Hutton almost scored a superb third when his whipped corner struck the face of the crossbar and young sub Jack Knowlson almost set up Stone for a third late on but there was no further scare for the O's who now stretch their unbeaten run to four games.

At 69 minutes, Park were 1-0 ahead but on 74 minutes, they were 2-1 behind and a man down. Make no mistake, this was a great win against a side who came into the game unbeaten in seven, five of those away fixtures and takes Dale's team past the 50 point mark and within eight points of leaders Chipping Sodbury, Oldland's next opposition on Good Friday!