MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Cardiff City U21 | Pre-Season Friendly, Wed 27th July 2022

Simon Lawrence previews our penultimate pre-season game at home to Cardiff City U21

Chippenham continue their pre-season schedule by returning to The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium to host Cardiff City Under 21’s this Wednesday evening in a fixture that will see Gary Horgan and his men creep ever closer to the August 6th Vanarama National League South opener against Ebbsfleet United at The Kufflink Arena.

Chippenham’s pre-season has been a mixed bag so far and come into the game against Cardiff following only their second win of the schedule against Cirencester at the Corinium Stadium to add to the victory away at Hartley Wintney that gave The Bluebirds their first win of pre-season. 

Sterner tests against both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City handed CTFC defeats at The TS Stadium however, manager Gary Horgan was quick to emphasize that results at this point are irrelevant compared to the minutes that the lads are getting ahead of their return to league action in the National League South. Horgs also stressed that over the next few games, fans will see more of the Chippenham that he and his management team foresee forming the 16 man squad they will see in action.

Cardiff provide the penultimate test of pre-season as they bring their talented academy to Wiltshire for a game under the lights. 

Cardiff City Under 21’s play their football in the Professional Development League 2 and since their inception have graduated several players that have gone on to become household names including Welsh internationals, Joe Ledley, Chris Gunter and Aaron Ramsey. Also former Chippenham Town players such as Curtis McDonald and Nathaniel Jarvis have come through the ranks at the Cardiff City Academy.

For Chippenham, they are nursing a few injuries following the game against Cirencester most notably midfielder Luke Russe suffering an impact injury to the ankle. Good news however for The Bluebirds is the return to fitness of fellow midfielder Tom Mehew and with talisman number 9, Jordan Young not far away, the squad is taking shape nicely ahead of the season opener. Decisions of course will soon be made on several trialists that have been with the squad over the last month and we wish them all the luck in their endeavor to stay with The Bluebirds for the upcoming season.

This friendly offers supporters the last chance to see the boys in action at home before the season commences with our last friendly taking place this Saturday at Melksham Town for the first Ian Monnery Trophy which is taking place for the first time between the two sides the legendary Mono played the majority of his incredible career with. 

So come on down and see The Bluebirds (both of them) in action, as we head towards another exciting campaign in the Vanarama National League South!