CHIPPENHAM Park Development manager Nigel Tripp is glad that the Wiltshire League Senior KO Cup is keeping his team’s season alive.

Last weekend, Park were back in action for the first time since January 30 and they booked themselves a cup quarter-final place with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Marlborough Town.

Matty Legg put Tripp’s side ahead in the first half before Dan Heavey, Sam Pring, Luke Murden and 16-year-old Dan Billett all also found the net.

Park, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last term, will travel to either Devizes Town Reserves or Corsham Town Reserves in the last eight and their boss doesn’t see any reason why his players shouldn’t dream of going all the way.

“It’s great to still be in the cup because it’s good for the lads to still have something to play for and something to be interested in – it keeps your season alive,” said Tripp.

“We lost to Ludgershall in the semis in extra-time last season, so we weren’t too far away and I definitely think that there’s always a chance you can get to the final.

“We’ve got a lot of players that could play at a higher level, and we do want to give the youngsters a chance to play but we’ll always play our strongest side in the cup.

“I was away on holiday on Saturday, so my assistant Brent Murden took charge, but I was told that we fully deserved it.”

Elsewhere, Malmesbury Victoria were also in action in the Senior KO Cup but their interest in the competition was brought to an end as they were edged out 3-2 by Ludgershall Sports.

In the league, Melksham Town Reserves remain on the coat-tails of second-placed Shrewton United, who they have three matches in hand on, with a 3-1 win over Corsham – Shrewton thrashed Wilts Calne Town 7-3.

Wroughton took all three points against Sarum Youth courtesy of a 1-0 triumph at home, whilst Royal Wootton Bassett Reserves won 2-0 at Trowbridge Wanderers.