O's bow out of league cup at the first round

The O's squad was boosted by the return of Lewis Parker, Jamie Gregory and Mason Poole all missed the trip down to Bishops Lydeard. Experienced player Jack Metcalf still missed out through a persistent ankle injury. Courtney Charles returned to the squad but was only fit enough for the bench having felt under the weather.

Credit to the ground staff for their hard work, getting the game on when it could of so easily been called off. The pitch was extremely wet and heavy but playable. Everyone in attendance knew this wasn't going to be the prettiest of games due to the conditions and the state of the pitch.

The O's started brightly taking the game to the visitors and should of been awarded a penalty on the 10th minute when Josh Southway weaved himself into the box following a one two was bundled over. Unfortunately this was not awarded by the man in the middle much to the amazement of everyone in the ground, perhaps Southways dramatic roll rather then falling natural might of swung his decision. O's continued to press when forward Olly Trevarthen stung the palms of the visiting goalkeeper from his effort outside of the box. Danny Carter was next to test the goalkeeper but his effort just evaded the far post. Southway delivered a delightful ball into the box but his cross evaded everyone going out for a goal kick. Winger Callum Ham on his home debut showed his pace and direct play for the first time in the after when his run at the full back seen him cross the ball for the recovering defender to scramble the ball away for a corner. Ham then followed this up with a run inside only to see his shot well saved by Sam Thomson in the visitors goal who would of seen it late. The O's should of had another penalty awarded when Ham dribbled in the box only to be tripped and pushed over from behind. The home faithful and O's players all appealed for what seemed a certain penalty only to be waved away by the referee. Shomari Sengor was the next O's player to fire a shot at goal this time saw a Chippenham Park player save the ball like a goalkeeper with his hands on the edge of the box. The referee produced only a yellow for the block on a goal bound shot. From the resultant free kick forward Olly Trevarthen blasted the ball high and wide over the goal. O's were probably starting to think this wasn't going to be their day when Goalkeeper Chris Manns was very much a spectator in the first half only having to fetch a couple of crosses and over hit long forward passes.

HT 0-0

Second half started much the same as the first half although Chippenham Park much to their credit grew into the game and started to dominate the middle of the mud bath slightly. Chippenham Park's forwards had a couple of sighting shots which Manns dealt with comfortably. Chippenham Park got their tails up slightly and a great free flowing move, their first of the match saw a great opportunity only to be blasted over the bar, when a goal would of been much better suited to the build up. The O's tested the visiting goalkeeper again with Southway first stinging his palms at the near post followed by a brave block from Olly Trevarthen. Winger Callum Ham produced another run at the full back only to blast his shot straight at the goalkeeper, with players lining up on the 6 yard box. Here came the sucker punch for the O's on 65 minutes when Oldland in good possession in the final third gave the ball away with sloppy play, Chippenham Park substitute Matt Mead picked up the long forward clearance only to brilliantly curl the ball into the top corner of the net giving Chris Manns no chance. Despite this O's continued to have the main stay of possession with Chippenham getting bodies behind the ball and defending superbly. O's sub Sam Makepeace controlled the ball way his shot was well blocked and the resultant corner wasted by a poor deliver from an O's player. Southway linked up well with Courtney Charles who came on for Olly Trevarthen but saw his effort well blocked by the defender. Here came the sucker punch for the O's and the vital goal which ended the cup run. O's again in possession in the midfield a tackle not to dissimilar to the danny carter booking in the first half goes unpunished for Chippenham to break. Matt Mead won the foot race and a defensive mix up left Chris Manns 40 yards outside his goal only for the forward to pass the ball into the empty net and kill the game off.

FT 0-2.

Man of the match was awarded to Callum Ham for his trickery, dribbling and direct play which cause Chippenham Park problems all afternoon.

Manager Scott Armstrong commented on the result and display, "I was pleased with our first half display we dominated the game, possession and created chances. I would liked to have seen more clear chances created but the pitch was very heavy and sticky. I am still unsure how we wasn't awarded at least one of the penalties when both dug outs and spectators all agree they should of been awarded. Unfortunately that's football and current times at present. Credit must be given to Chippenham Park for their resilience and then their goal was a great strike by the kid worthy of winning any game. I was disappointed with our second half display we lacked a bit of composure and didn't really come out like we played the first half. We have a massive month and will test the lads credentials over the next few weeks and ill be looking for a reaction."