MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Slough Town | National League South | Monday 28th August 2023
Matt Chappell previews our bank holiday home game against Slough Town.
The games are coming thick and fast for the Bluebirds, 48 hours after the last as we return to The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday to face Slough Town in the National League South – (3pm kick-off)
Last Time Out
Chippenham come into the game off the back of a 0-0 draw against Braintree Town on Saturday, with both sides creating chances throughout the 90 minutes but not being able to finish despite.
Many supporters who attended would’ve been talking about the performances of Will Henry, with him contributing superb efforts in-between the sticks at both ends of the pitch.
Will making a superb save in the first half to deny Arnold Matshazi from a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and later in the half as Reggie Lambe tried to get past and tap it in before Nat Williams cleared it off the line and straight into Will’s hands.
The Bluebirds came into the second half with plenty of clear-cut chances which caught our eye. Tyreke Johnson found Alex Bray inside the box and his right footed shot forced Jack Sims to make a good save, a few minutes later a Freddie Grant throw-in found Matt McClure who flicked it with a no-look pass towards Caine Bradbury gave the Academy graduate a chance to put it in the goal but Sims blocked it with his right foot to get it away from the goal. Towards the end of the game, two further chances came the way for the Bluebirds as Craig Fasanmade was unlucky with a bicycle kick following good play and an Eddie Jones cross finding Matt McClure who shot over the net in the dying seconds of the game, which if on-target would’ve ultimately snatched all the points for Chippenham in the final moments.
Our Opponents
We need no introduction to our opponents on Monday, Slough Town are regulars in the National League South since their promotion from the 2017/18 Southern League.
The Rebels have started their new season on the opposite end of the league table in 22nd position at the time of writing with only 1 win in 4, recently being beaten 2-1 against Torquay United on Saturday.
The side are currently managed by Scott Davies, who took charge of the side last year following the departure of Jon Underwood and Neil Baker who originally guided the side to their promotion to the National League all those years ago, Scott is currently player-manager for the side and he’s enjoyed a career at the likes of Yeovil Town, Reading, Oxford United just to name a few.
Both sides have enjoyed plenty of altercations in previous meetings with the hosts getting the upper hand most recently with a 6-1 win against the Bluebirds at Arbour Park last time out, George Alexander who’s on our One to Watch netting 4 goals and Elliot Benyon and Josh Jack man scoring a goal each.
The season before saw Chippenham Town take the victory on both occasions with a 1-0 win back in August 2021, Ross Stearn scoring in the 95th minute and on the subject of 6-1 results, Chippenham had their own victory by extortionate proportions with former Bluebirds and now Yeovil Town forward Jordan Young and former Swindon Town loanee Ricky Aguiar (now at Worthing) scoring a brace each and two single goals from Luke Russe and Joe Hanks netting a goal each who both are now at new clubs.
One to Watch
The obvious player who will be the one to watch on Monday will be George Alexander, the 22 year old ex-Milwall and current Bromley forward returns for his second loan spell with Slough, after he netted 6 goals in 7 apps with 4 of goals coming against us in our final meeting prior to this Bank Holiday.
Bluebirds News
Chippenham will still be without Tom Owen-Evans with him out of selection with his injury, a strain injury to his leg which he sustained during the Basingstoke friendly, Gary mentioned in his Post-Match Reaction that Tom will still be a few weeks yet but his recovery is making good progress.
Many will also be curious to know about Aaron Amadi-Holloway who is also out at present time with his injury sustained at Torquay a few weeks ago.
Horgs has stated in the interview that Aaron was back on the grass on training and is showing good progress for a return either during today’s game but a more than likely reappearance being Dover.
Onto more positive news, this past Saturday saw the return of both Nathaniel Williams and Luke Haines to the starting squad in the backline after both had to wait out suspensions from the Havant & Waterlooville game and from the previous season respectively.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday for what promises to be a big match for either side who will be wanting to take 3 points to help maintain their positions indifferent ends of the table.
Supporters can purchase their tickets on the gate, tickets are priced at:
Adults: £15,
Senior Citizens: £11,
Junior (16-18): £5,
Child (5-15): £3
£11 for Students/Armed Forces personnel with an ID card.
U16’s FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.
Don’t forget that you can also get your coach seat ticket at the ground for our trip to Weymouth on Saturday 23rd September, head over to the programme hut to purchase your space.
See you on Monday, COME ON CHIPPENHAM!
