FOOTBALL is about winning, but for Chippenham Town's latest signing Kes Metitiri, it's also about looking good.

The former West Ham United trainee, on loan for a month from Team Bath, made his Bluebirds bow on Saturday in the dramatic 1-0 win over Southern League rivals Gloucester City.

Metitiri was thrilled to finish his first Chippenham game on the winning side, but was even more ecstatic to finish the game with his features intact.

"I got a bang on my nose in the second half and I thought it was broken,"

said the stylish central defender.

"I thought my looks had gone, but thankfully I was okay."

"It was a hard game. Gloucester put some pressure on us in the second half, which made it a good battle.

"But we always stayed positive and believed we could get something out of the game right to the end."

Metitiri began his career at Upton Park, where he played alongside former Chelsea and England full-back Glen Johnson, now of Portsmouth, in the Hammers youth team.

The 23-year-old also trained with England striker Jermain Defoe, who was making a name for himself in the age group above.

After leaving West Ham in 2002, Metitiri joined League One side Bristol City, before starting a degree in coach education and sports development at the University of Bath.

He was voted players' players of the season at Twerton Park in 2005/06 and was a member of the England Universities team that won all three matches on their way to lifting 2007 British University Games title.

"I've played about 19 games for Team Bath this season, but I was ill halfway through the year and another lad came in and took my place," said Metitiri.

"Since then the team has not stopped winning, so it was hard for me to get back in.

"My coach told me on Wednesday I would be joining Chippenham for a month, so here I am. There's a brilliant atmosphere here and it's a brilliant club.

I've got a great opportunity to learn under a good coach like Adie Mings."

Metitiri was in the crowd for Chippenham's 4-1 defeat at Twerton Park last Saturday and admitted feeling baffled by what he saw.

He said: "I was there last week. I'm not sure what happened to Chippenham on the day. It was a bit weird coming here so soon after that match, but I'm looking forward to it anyway.

"I really want to play in the Bath City match next month because they are big rivals of both Chippenham and Team Bath."

Metitiri will continue to train full-time with his fellow students, breaking off to join the Bluebirds for practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

There will be at least one familiar face at Hardenhuish Park. Midfielder Kye Holly played with Metitiri at Ashton Gate.