MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Tonbridge Angels | National League South | Saturday 22nd April 2023
We preview our last home game of the season against Tonbridge Angels.
Last Time Out
The Bluebirds will feel hard done by after the 1-1 draw against Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend. Chippenham took the lead on 6 minutes thanks to a goal by Matt McClure, but the hosts’ equaliser in the 95th minute felt like a sucker punch in a game where The Bluebirds very nearly earned another 3 points on the road. Depending on how you look at it, it was 2 points dropped, or a point gained against a team which, before the game, were hoping to sneak into the play-off places.
You can catch up with all the match action below.
The Opposition
Tonbridge Angels are a team who have playing in the National League South since 2020 having previously been at this level for 2 seasons from 2012-14. Tonbridge currently sit in 11th place on 63 points, 5 points more than The Bluebirds who sit in 14th, although Tonbridge have played 1 fewer game than us.
The Angels are managed by Jay Saunders, who made his name taking Maidstone United from the Isthmian South (Step 4) to the National League (Step 1) in just four seasons, then moving on to manage Margate, a club where he had made 373 appearances as a player before being appointed Tonbridge manager in May 2022 following the departure of Steve McKimm.
In terms of form, Tonbridge have had a bit of a wobble in recent weeks, their last win coming on 25th March, a 4-3 win at home to Hungerford Town. Since then, they have lost 4-0 away to Oxford City, were held at home with a 1-1 draw against Hemel Hempstead Town and last weekend lost 1-0 at home to Dartford.
Players to Watch
Jordan Greenidge is our key player to watch this week. The former Stoke City youth prospect, standing at 6ft 4 inches, has spent time playing in Cyprus and Spain.
The striker, on loan from Hemel Hempstead, has netted 13 league goals in 22 games since joining in November 2022, although April has been a dry month for him, let’s hope I’ve not tempted fate.
Other players of note are midfielder Lewis Gard, who has been attracting interest from Football League clubs in recent weeks and fellow midfielder Scott Wagstaff formerly of Charlton Athletic, Bristol City and Gillingham who has racked up over 340 appearances in the Football League.
Bluebirds News
Will Henry missed the draw against Havant & Waterlooville due to a family emergency but was deputised by academy player James Walker, who certainly didn’t do his reputation any harm thanks to a brilliant performance between the sticks, earning himself a man of the match award.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased on the gate, priced at:
- £14 for adults
- £10 for concessions, including armed forces personnel along with students who have valid ID.
- £3 for under-18’s
- U16’s get FREE entry when accompanied by a paying adult.
Cash and contactless card payments are accepted at the gate.