MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Concord Rangers | National League South | Sat 5th Feb 2022

Simon Lawrence previews our upcoming National League South fixture at home to Concord Rangers.

A return to the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium in the Vanarama National League South this weekend for the Bluebirds as we welcome Concord Rangers to Wiltshire.

Last time out for the Blue Army, we travelled to EMG at Chelmsford and played out a rather entertaining 0-0 draw in front of 736 supporters. Our opponents had the better of the first half exchanges in very windy conditions and a very tricky pitch with Charlie Sheringham thinking he had put the Clarets into a 1-0 lead before the linesman on the far side adjudged Sheringham to have handled the ball in controlling before he shot past Will Henry in the Chippenham goal. Chances for both sides were few a far between but moments of quality from Joe Hanks and Ola Lawal gave loanee Jordan Young two one on ones with the goalkeeper. His first effort rounded the GK after a heavy touch and just couldn’t get the ball back across whilst his second effort, a dink with the right foot agonisingly sailed over the bar and Chippenham played out a very professional second half to leave Essex with a point.

Our opponents Concord Rangers travel to Wiltshire on a bad run of form which has seen them fall from early playoff spot occupants to 16th place in the league. They will be looking for their first win in the National League South since December and in doing so, avenge the 3-0 defeat to Chippenham at the Aspect Arena in Game week 7 with goals from Will Richards, Marlon Jackson and Ross Stearn seeing the Bluebirds shut out the Beachboys and send manager Mike Cook back home with 3 points in the bag and a smile on his face.

Chippenham will be looking to kick off a month where they have 3 home fixtures with a positive result against Concord before heading on the road to Welling and then welcoming both Eastbourne and Hampton & Richmond to the TSS. Manager Mike Cook will be buoyed by the returning Danny Greenslade and Alex Bray who both came through substitute appearances at the weekend as did Harry Warwick as he continues to make his way back from a back injury.

The transfer deadline day excitement doesn’t quite make it’s way down to the National League South, however, with EFL clubs such as Swindon, Bristol Rovers and Exeter (all of which we have good links with) now done with their business in the transfer market, it remains to be seen whether certain targets for Cook will now be ready to come and make their way over to Chippenham. One player we know is back at Chippenham is industrious midfielder Cameron Hargreaves who will provide good competition for the likes of Russe, Gunner and Hanks in the heart of the Bluebirds midfield.

Don’t forget also tickets for our game against Manchester United XI are still on sale. Chippenham and Manchester United squads are soon to be announced and with fantastic legends from both camps on display, this is sure to be a game not to be missed for the Chippenham faithful of any age. Also note that there is still a little availability for the Q&A on the Saturday 26th March and those tickets are available from Tina Hemmings at the Blues Bar or on community@chippenhamtown.com.

Also, as a lovely little addition for our younger supporters, we are delighted to announce that we are accepting 22 mascots to accompany the sides onto the surface at the TSS, details are soon to follow on the website but should your son, daughter, grandchildren or otherwise like to be a mascot for the day. Please contact Simon Lawrence at commercial@chippenhamtown.com at only £25 these spots are already filling up fast so please do get in touch via e-mail or seek Simon out around the ground.

So, we head into the weekend full of confidence with great things happening both on and off the pitch. 6th in the league and with dreams of a playoff place at the end of the season, Mike and the lads could really use your support and with the tough nature of this league and the obstacles we have overcome to this point, it’s very much deserved. So, get on down to the TSS this weekend and roar the Bluebirds on to hopefully another 3 points in our playoff charge.

COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS