The opening game of the season ended all square after a promising first half performance by the Hamlet saw Danny Mills give the home side an interval lead, only to be negated by Chippenham's fightback during the early stages of the second half with Marlon Jackson equalising from the penalty spot.

Hamlet dominated possession in the first half without creating clear chances and occasionally looked vulnerable to counter attacks when losing possession in the opposition half. It took 35 minutes to unlock the visitors' defence, thanks to great work on the left flank by newcomer Darren McQueen, one of six debutants in the starting XI. The speedy winger, who gave a lively performance for Dartford on his previous appearance at Champion Hill two seasons ago, held onto the ball under pressure before working an opening to deliver a beautifully flighted cross to the edge of the six yard box, where Danny Mills climbed above his marker to bury an unstoppable header in the back of the net. Hamlet now seemed to have an opportunity to put the game to bed with a quick second but Chippenham were patient enough to see out the rest of the half with plenty of men behind the ball, rather than pushing for an immediate equaliser.

The visitors used the interval to regroup, returning to the fray with a more assertive approach. The game became a bit of a scrap, with Hamlet pressed in their own half and unable to retain possession, and after ten more minutes Chippenham equalised from the penalty spot. Tyrone Sterling, who formed a solid centre back partnership with captain and fellow debutant Jack Holland, attempted a risky intervention after going to ground and tripped an opponent who was poised to shoot for goal. Marlon Jackson converted confidently from the penalty spot. The hosts were now back to square one, labouring to break down a visiting team who seemed content to hold what they had.

Hamlet began to look more potent during the final twenty minutes after introducing fresh forwards from the bench. Goalscorer Mills, having engaged in a physical battle with the opposing centre back for two thirds of the match, was replaced by our seventh and final debutant Chike Kandi in a straight swap. Deon Moore replaced debutant midfielder James Dayton, playing on the left with McQueen moving into the centre to support Kandi. Finally AJ Harris-Sealy, a newcomer in January immediately before last season was curtailed, replaced debutant right winger Jordan Green. Despite ramping up the pressure on the Chippenham goal, chances remained at a premium as had been the case for both sides throughout. Honours ended even and whilst Hamlet especially will naturally be disappointed not to win after scoring first, both teams will surely feel they made an acceptable start to the season with something useful to build on.

Team (4-2-3-1): Grainger - Barnum-Bobb, Holland (c), Sterling, Blackman - McGregor, Timlin - Green, Dayton, McQueen - Mills.
Substitutes: Kandi (for Mills), Moore (for Dayton), Harris-Sealy (for Green), Taylor, Higgs (not used).

Report by Richard Watts

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