ON-THE-WHISTLE MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 2-3 Swindon Town

Goals from Jesse Starkey, Tom Smith and Scott Twine ensured Swindon Town finished their pre-season with a win, as they beat Chippenham Town 3-2 at Hardenhuish Park.

Swindon's win was never in doubt due to Jesse Starkey opening the scoring as early as the tenth minute, before Tom Smith doubled the visitors' lead in the 28th.

Scott Twine's effort ten minutes later, to make it 3-0 in Town's favour, had the game over as a contest before half-time.

Hosts Chippenham did pull one back early in the second half through Will Richards, but the National League South outfit never looked like mounting a turnaround.

David Pratt made it 3-2 in the 89th minute, but it was too late to properly scare Town.

Twine could have had his name on the scoresheet even earlier than that as, in the very first minute, a defensive mix-up almost allowed the young forward in, but Chippenham recovered and cleared their lines.

Chippenham had their one and only good chance of the first half in the fifth minute, however Andy Sandell could only flick a cross narrowly past the post, and he soon was made to rue his lack of conviction.

As the clock struck the ten-minute mark, a second defensive error from the Bluebirds led to Starkey being through on goal and the man who signed from Brighton in January chipped the on-rushing Chippenham keeper with aplomb. 

It was nearly 2-0 four minutes later but Twine's turn and shot was well saved by Jared Thompson.

Jordan Young then blazed over the bar from the outside of the box, however Swindon did not have to wait much longer for their second goal.

Ellis Iandolo started a bright move off for Town when he set Starkey free down the left, and the winger crossed into the box for Young who teed up Smith, and the ginger midfielder lashed home from close range to double Town's lead.

It was 3-0 soon after when Twine was played in by Iandolo and, after going down in the box, Twine picked himself up to fire in the third on the turn. 

Chippenham improved after a break and almost made it 3-1 when Richards headed a corner wide, although they did get the goal they wanted, in front of a crowd of 680 spectators, 12 minutes into the second half when Richards did successfully nod home a corner.

Town's performance dipped in the second half but still had two great chance to extend their lead.

First, substitute Sol Pryce burst his way into the Chippenham box, but his effort from a tight angle whizzed past the far post and then right-back Jake Evans sae a long-range effort tipped past the post. 

Twine should have made it 4-1 late on, but he hit the inside of the post, and Pratt reduced the arreas in the last minute of the game when he lobbed Will Henry to make it 3-2. 

Swindon's 3-2 win was their fourth victory from eight regular pre-season matches this summer and they kick off the new League Two season on Saturday when they travel to Carlisle United.