Jarvis double sees off 10 man Hungerford

Nat Jarvis scored twice as Chippenham came from behind to see off a battling Hungerford side who had to the play the entirety of the second half with 10 men. After the 5-0 thumping of St Albans the visitors started well and got a 6th minute goal through Danilo Orsi-Dadomo's low strike. Chippenham responded on the front foot with a succession of corners causing problems for Hungerford and Karnell Chambers having a stretching effort saved by Luyambula. Nick McCootie then thought he had the hosts equaliser but the forward was to be denied by the offside flag. The visitors then had a good chance to double their advantage. Cameron Hargreaves intercepted a loose ball and floated it over the top for Orsi-Dadomo whose tame effort was cleared by the last defender after squeezing under the goalkeeper. Hungerford regained the ball back quickly and Darren Foxley shot wide from a good position. The winger then had a free kick saved by Will Puddy as the Crusaders started to gain confidence and seize more control of the match. Chippenham began to get frustrated as balls went astray and they were struggling to break down a sturdy defence. However the game changed in the hosts favour when Hargreaves tackle from behind was deemed to be a red card despite a yellow looking more appropriate. Referee Richard Gardner seemed to rush the decision and had the red card out straight away.

The second half saw lots of Chippenham pressure as they came out a new rejuvenated side. Nat Jarvis had a header saved well by Luyambula within two minutes but it wouldn't have stood anyway as the referee saw a foul in the build up. The ex-Crusader wasn't be denied for long as he headed in a Jack Compton cross. Some last ditch defending stopped a 2nd goal for the bluebirds following another corner that had caused havoc in the penalty area. The 2nd goal was to come soon after as Jarvis headed home another deep cross this time from the left hand side. Nick McCootie, well placed outside the area, had a sweet volley go straight at Luyambula. As the minutes ticked by the visitors needed some inspiration from somewhere and Rhys Kavanagh nearly provided it as he weaved his way into the box, pulling it back to Orsi-Dadaomo whose effort was smothered at quickly by Puddy. Many away fans behind the goal and Orsi-Dadomo complained of a hand ball in the box however Gardiner waved away protests. Josh Martin hacked clear a certain Chippenham goal off the line before his deft header was caught by Puddy following a James Rusby long throw in the dying moments. It just wasn't to be for the battling visitors and there was still time for McCootie to add more salt to the wound.

It means Hungerford stay in the relegation zone and with Gloucester City winning once again under manager Mike Cook it leaves us three points adrift. Home games against Welling and Woking give Hungerford opportunities to bounce back before our next away day versus bottom club Weston Super-Mare on March 9th.