We kicked off our National League South campaign in bright but blustery conditions down in Chippenham. Despite Wanderers starting on the front foot, the hosts struck first in just the sixth minute. The home side, dressed in bright blue, capitalised on a mistake in midfield and drove at our defence. A cut-back across the box found Parsons, who guided the ball from just inside the area into Foulkes’ top-right corner. 1-0

Chippenham threatened again soon after, with two players breaking on Brennan Camp. As our last man, he managed to get a vital touch on a chipped through ball from the winger, preventing a one-on-one with Foulkes. Moments later, play switched quickly to the other end as Rutherford cut in from the right-hand side of the box and drove at goal, only to see his effort blocked for a corner by goalkeeper Will Henry.

Despite a spell of Wanderers pressure, the hosts doubled their lead. A high ball bounced between our goal and the halfway line, with Foulkes rushing out to meet it. His header, however, lacked distance and fell straight to Parsons, who found the empty net from range to claim his brace. 2-0

Shortly before half time, one of our best chances of the half fell to Charlie Carter. Prior picked the ball up in the box and laid it off, and Carter’s half-volley from the penalty spot flew just over the bar.

Half time: Chippenham Town 2-0 Dorking Wanderers

The opening 15 minutes of the second half were uneventful, with neither side creating a significant opportunity. That spell was broken by Rutherford, who took a tidy touch into the box but fired over the bar. He went close again soon after, cutting inside from the edge of the D and aiming for the top-right corner, only for Henry to produce a fine save.

From the resulting corner, Brennan Camp rose highest and got us back into the game, powering a header past the ‘keeper to halve the deficit. 2-1

Following our goal, Marc White made his first changes from the gantry, with James McShane and Luke Moore replacing George Francomb and Frank Vincent.

We looked certain to find the equaliser when Brennan Camp was played through at point-blank range, but Henry pulled off a superb stop – with the linesman’s flag up regardless. Shortly after, Chippenham almost restored their two-goal cushion in the 90th minute when a corner caused a scramble in the six-yard box, but our defence managed to clear.

In the first of ten added minutes, the hosts broke through again with two attackers bearing down on Foulkes, but he stood tall to make a huge block and keep us in the game. We kept pushing deep into added time, with Luke Moore’s cross finding Prior, who headed back across goal for what looked like a certain tap-in – only for Henry to claw it away.

Finally, the equaliser arrived in the 98th minute. Following some persistent work from the Wanderers midfield, Lewis clipped brilliant cross from the left, finding Prior’s chest. Composed, he prodded it across the box to Rutherford, who smashed it home – salvaging us a point at the death.  2-2

Full-Time: Chippenham Town 2-2 Dorking Wanderers

After going two down in the first half, we dug deep and fought back to earn a hard-earned point on the road. Make sure to join us for our next fixtures as we kick-start our home campaign at Meadowbank with a double header – Hampton & Richmond on the 16th and Slough on the 19th of August.