PRATT IS ON SONG TO MUTE CANARIES

IF YOU were to liken this match to a pantomime, it had its comedic moments – and the villain was the man in black.

This fourth v third clash proved to be a lively encounter, with Canaries midfielder Robbie Burns testing home goalkeeper Darren Chitty in the opening moments.

Chippenham countered and Dave Pratt looked to have a valid claim for a penalty early on, but the referee did not see it that way and gave nothing.

The ball then went up the visitors’ end, with the Bluebirds having a goalmouth scramble that ultimately saw the ball cleared.

Moments later, it was the hosts’ turn to clear their lines, with Gary Horgan averting the danger.

Hitchin keeper Michael Johnson proved an able shot-stopper, denying Chippenham midfielder Alex Ferguson the opening goal.

The Canaries custodian was also equal to an Andy Sandell header, and the former Newport striker had another chance after being found by Pratt, but his shot was scrambled away by the visitors.

With half-time approaching, Hitchin captain Dan Webb missed a chance to put the away side ahead, only managing to clear the crossbar with his header.

In the second half, play went from one end to the other, with Chitty producing two super saves to first deny Burns and then Ben Walster’s follow-up.

Sandell fired over from a cheap, while Hitchin were aggrieved when a second yellow card for Lewis Rolfe saw them down to ten men after 54th minutes.

Canaries manager Mark Burke attempted to change the game with a double substitution, introducing Kane Smith and Liam Brooks on the hour, but this would fail to influence the result.

Matt Jones had an effort to put Chippenham in front, but it was well saved by Johnson, while Walster was wide of the mark for the visitors.

The Bluebirds fans were enraged when yet another cry for a penalty went unanswered after Pratt looked to have been fouled, trying to force his way along the byline.

The Hitchin grins soon turned to grimaces in the 74th minute when a piece of poetic justice saw Pratt latch onto a Sandell cross and fire home what proved to be the match winner.

Chippenham finished the stronger, but were unable to add to their tally.

Jones sent another effort off target, while sub Smith’s attempt to gain parity came to nothing. STAR MAN: Dave Pratt (Chippenham Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★