MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Farnborough | National League South | Saturday 10th August 2024

Declan Wright previews our first game of the 204/25 season, against Farnborough.

112 long days later and finally the 2024/25 National League South campaign begins, and Chippenham’s ambitions all start with a home fixture against Farnborough.

During the summer the Bluebirds’ squad has been added to, in the shape of Harry Parsons, Will Dawes, Rex Mannings, Joe Andrews and Lewis Colwell.

Gary Horgan and his staff also kept much of the 2023/24 squad and the CTFC academy strikes again with several prospects coming into the first team squads for preseason. This has led to success, with Chippenham winning 5 out of 8 of the preseason games and earning a hard-fought draw against a tough in opposition Eastleigh who situate themselves in the National League. Last time out Chippenham played another tough home game against a ‘Premier League 2’ outfit in Southampton U21 which included players that have had made appearances for the Saints’ first team. Despite a 2-1 defeat, it gave vital minutes for the players a week before the season would get underway. Coming in on a permanent deal during the summer, Harry Parsons would get himself another goal in pre-season when he scored Chippenham’s on the 50th minute.

Looking at our opposition, Farnborough were reformed in 2007 due to liquidation. They also go by the names of The Yellows or Boro.

Currently Farnborough are managed by Spencer Day who has been at the Yellows since 2011.

Farnborough are coming off a very good season last year where they just finished outside the playoffs finishing 8th in the National League South.

Last season Chippenham and Farnborough would take three points off each other, with both teams winning their home matches.

In November 2023 Chippenham won at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium 2-1 with recently departed Dan Ellison getting his first for the club and Caine Bradbury also scoring to claim the 3 points.

The reverse fixture was due to fall on Good Friday, but it was an unfortunate one for both sides with a postponed fixture. This end of season fixture pileup would lead to Chippenham playing 4 times within 7 days. Farnborough took the 3 points at their place winning the game 3-1 with Tom Mehew grabbing the goal for the Bluebirds.

In a busy window for the Boro, we’ve identified a seasoned National League South player as our one to watch.

Mason Bloomfield joined Farnborough for his second spell with the club in June. He joined Boro after scoring 10 goals last season in a very impressive year for Hampton & Richmond Borough. The 27-year-old, 6ft 3in striker is a prolific goal scorer at this level and has also played at step 1 and even in League Two with the likes of Barnet, Bromley and Crawley.

With pre-season now finished and all the preparation complete, Chippenham will be raring to go ready for a great start to the season. Come along and support the players, management and staff throughout another epic journey of football!

We look forward to welcoming you, the 12th player, at Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Saturday 10th at 3pm to help gain a vital first three points.

COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS