Parsons goal enough to seal Easter Monday derby clash

Harry Parsons’ second half finish was enough for Chippenham Town to gain bragging rights in the A4 Derby.

- Mark Stillman sport@bathchroncouk

The forward, who netted in the Bluebirds’ previous win at Twerton in December 2022, converted from close range to decide the latest encounter.

It denied Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Year Harvey Wiles-Richards a 20th clean sheet of the season.

The defeat was City’s first at home for six games as they ended their 2024/25 Twerton Park campaign on a low note.

A cagey start saw both teams cancel each other out before Chippenham were dealt a blow in losing Alex Bray to what looked like a serious knee injury.

The Bath-born full-back lost out to former teammate Kieran Parselle on the byline and landed awkwardly which resulted in a long stoppage before he was replaced by Caine Bradbury.

Dan Greenslade drove a free-kick against the wall and Parselle headed Mitch Beardmore’s corner over in rare highlights of a forgettable half, with both defences near faultless.

City altered their back-line at the break, replacing Jack Batten with Elliott Frear as Luke Russe shifting to full-back.

Bluebirds’ captain Luke Haines tried to inject some excitement with an audacious effort from the halfway line which sailed over.