MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Boreham Wood | National League South | Saturday 5th October 2024
Declan Wright previews our upcoming game against Boreham Wood.
After the FA cup drama and disappointment, Chippenham will look to return to winning ways facing Boreham Wood at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Saturday 5th October 2024.
Opposition
Boreham Wood, nicknamed The Wood, were established in 1948 after the merger of Boreham Wood Rovers and Royal Retournez.
They play football at Meadow Park, also the occasional home of Arsenal for their Womens and academy games. It can hold 4500 people with 1700 seats. Last season Boreham Wood played in the National League and were relegated on the final day to put an end to their 9-year stint at step 5.
The relegation was a fall from grace as the season before last they finished in 6th losing in the play offs to eventual winners Notts County. The Wood are managed by Luke Garrard, who recently rejoined the club for his second stint as manager after he left after the 2023-24 season ended. As a player, he had 3 stints with the club, with two permanent and one on loan. As a player Garrard made over 150 appearances for The Wood before hanging up the boots and became the first team manager Boreham Wood sit in 9th place on 15 points with 9 games played, whereas Chippenham sit 20th in the league on 9 points
One to Watch
The player we have chosen to be the player that Bluebirds fans should look out for is current club captain Jack Payne. The 5ft 9 midfielder has been at Boreham Wood since July 2022 and has made over 75 appearances for the club.
Payne started his career progressing through the Gillingham academy where he would stay until 2012-13 season going on loan to Peterborough, at the time in the championship. During his time at Gillingham he won the Young Player of the Year award three seasons in a row and also received a medal for his contribution in the 2012-13 League 2 title win.
He then moved to Peterborough on a permanent deal and made just shy of 150 Football League appearances with The Posh, Leyton Orient and Blackpool. He then moved into the Non-League pyramid for the first time in his career and he has played at national league level with Ebbsfleet, Eastleigh and his current club Boreham Wood.
Familiar Faces
A familiar face that the Chippenham fans will remember is Tom Whelan. Tom joined The Bluebirds in the 2019/20 season on a one-month loan from National League side Yeovil Town. Whelan made nine appearances within the loan featuring in both Chippenham’s FA Cup and FA Trophy journeys.
Tom scored his only goal for the Bluebirds in a 2-2 draw away at Dulwich Hamlet. Tom will be remembered by the Chippenham fans as a part of the squad for our First Round tie in the FA Cup vs Northampton.
So, the stage is set for the first time in the history where Chippenham will face off against Boreham Wood and more than ever the players, management and staff will need all the support. Bring pride and passion for what will be a tough match for the Bluebirds!
Up the Bluebirds
