MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Dover Athletic | National League South | Saturday 24th February 2024

Matt Chappell previews our home tie against Dover Athletic

The Bluebirds return home to #TheTSStadium this Saturday 24th February 2024, (kick off: 3pm): as they welcome Dover Athletic in Vanarama National League South action.

Gary Horgan’s side come into this game, off the back of a 2-2 draw against Slough Town last Saturday, as a 2-0 goal lead with goals from Aaron Amadi-Holloway and a postage stamp free-kick from Luke Spokes was cancelled out with two quick goals from David Ogbonna and Nathan Minhas respectively to deny the Bluebirds all the points on the road, and just the single point that finds themselves 15th in the table currently.

To catch up on all the action from Slough Town 2-2 Chippenham Town, visit our match center below.

We would’ve had another game to look forward to in the trip to Taunton Town on Tuesday 20th February 2024, however the game was postponed in the afternoon, due to a waterlogged pitch and consistent weather issues down in Somerset.

Club Name: Dover Athletic
Founded: 1983
Ground: Crabble Stadium
Manager: Jake Lebert
Last Season Finish: 20th
Currently: 24th

Our visitors for Saturday, have been in the National League South now for two seasons, since being relegated from the 2021/22 National League season after finishing rock bottom with just one point on the board, after being deducted twelve points for falling to complete fixtures for that season in particular. In the past, Dover spent eight consecutive seasons in the top-flight of non-league football.

The Whites just survived back-to-back relegations last season, with the sacrifice of Dulwich Hamlet who went down in their place following a Joe Parker goal from the Bluebirds who sent the Hamlet down to the Isthmian Premier, and Dover just surviving another season in the NLS despite losing 2-0 to Weymouth, their goal difference of just two was enough for them to spend this season in the division.

This season however, things have not gone well for our visitors Saturday, as at the time of writing. They currently find themselves rock bottom of the National League South table, with only 21 points (scoring 34 and conceding 61, and only 3 wins). Their last few games have all ended in defeat with the most notable being a goal frenzy 6-4 defeat against play-off charging Worthing down in West Sussex, last Saturday they went to a 2-1 defeat to Dartford at the Crabble, with goals from Oliver Thomas and Luke Coulson being enough to give the Darts all the points on the road.

On recent games between the Whites and the Bluebirds, Chippenham have had the upper hand with a 3-1 win back in March 2023 at #TheTSStadium with former Bluebirds players Owen Windsor and Joe Parker on the scoresheet, and in-form Craig Fasanmade also netting a goal.

Onto the ones to look out for, we’ve picked three players who could cause a threat for the Bluebirds this weekend.

Up first is Zidan Sutherland, the 22 year old forward joined as a free agent after playing for Bromsgrove Sporting beforehand. Zidan has topped the Whites’ goal tally with 5 goals in 30 games, playing 2025 minutes of football in total.

The next one is George Wilkinson, the 19 year old central midfielder, is an academy graduate has spent a small loan period at Wingate & Finchley scoring 3 goals in 14 games and playing a total of 976 minutes.

And finally, Roman Charles-Cook, the 20 year old Right back joined on a free transfer from EFL League 2 outfit Sutton United, and the former Amber academy graduate, has contributed a fair amount of goals and appearances with 18 in 2 respectively, and a total of 1172 minutes played.

Chippenham may face challenges with several players unavailable for upcoming matches. Freddie Grant sustained an injury during Saturday’s draw against Slough, while Alex Bray and Luke Haines are currently side-lined due to recent injuries. On a positive note, Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Dan Ellison participated in last Saturday’s match with both featuring in a full ninety minutes, which is significant given the demanding schedule of matches over the past two weeks.

After many weeks away with trips from Kent to Berkshire, we finally return home back to #TheTSStadium as the Bluebirds with Tuesday’s game being called off against Taunton, will have more time to prepare now for Saturday’s game.

If you are planning to visit us this weekend, be advised that tickets can be purchased on the gate for this game, and cash / card is accepted. Please find ticket prices below:

Adults: £15, Senior Citizens*: £11, Junior (16-18): £5, Child (5-15)**: £3
*Students with a student card and serving Armed Forces personnel with an ID card.

U16’s FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.

And if you’re unable to visit the game, then be sure to stay up-to-date with Match Updates available on our X account and full Match Highlights also available on YouTube via BlueArmy TV & Radio.

Be loud, be proud, let’s Pack the Park this Saturday, and as always…

COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS