MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Tonbridge Angels | National League South | Saturday 22nd November 2025
The second of three consecutive home matches bring the visit of Tonbridge to North Wiltshire.
We host Tonbridge Angels at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadiumin in the first league game back at home since the Salisbury clash. Having only beaten Tonbridge once before, we are aiming to climb the table by changing that. However, Tonbridge have also not had the greatest form in recent games as they are without a win in 4 games. Harry Parsons has recently come back from injury for Chippenham and this could be the perfect game for him to return to the scoresheet after the opening game of the campaign where he netted 2 against Dorking before coming off injured.
The opposition
Tonbridge Angels were formed in 1947 by local businessman Herbert Portch, they were originally known as Tonbridge FC when they were first created. Their first ever home ground was named the ‘Angel Ground’ which at the time of Tonbridge FC had them known as ‘The Angels’. The club’s first ever trophy came in the 51/52 season winning the Kent Senior Shield which they won again in 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1964. The club then won the Kent Senior Cup for the first time in the 1964/65 season.
In the 1972/73 season the club had a really successful season gaining promotion finishing behind Maidstone United in second place, Tonbridge FC also reached the FA Cup First Round Proper again where they faced Charlton Athletic at the Angel Ground where they saw a 5-0 loss in front of a 7,770 crowd. A couple of years later, former England international and World Cup winner George Cohen led the side as manager to the Kent Senior Cup again in 74/75.
After a period of struggle in the league campaigns, the club suffered some financial issues which led to voluntary liquidation in 1976. This meant that Tonbridge Angels were then formed. The next issue that the club faced was the club’s landlords, the local council, wanted to develop the Angel Ground. The club was then eventually offered a new ground in Longmead which is where Tonbridge still play to this day.
In the 2004/05 season Tonbridge Angels joined the Isthmian League but were consequently relegated to Division One in 2005. In 2005/06 they were promoted back to the Isthmian Premier League via playoff wins against Tooting & Mitcham United and Dover Athletic. In 2010/11 they finished runners up in the Isthmian League and therefore in 2011 joined the Conference South. 14/15 saw the club return to the Isthmian League but were then promoted again via the playoffs to the National League system in 18/19 with wins against Haringey Borough, Merstham and Metropolitan Police in the Super Playoff. Tonbridge Angels have been in the National League South ever since this promotion. Most recently, last season in 24/25, Tonbridge finished 17th, three places below Chippenham Town. Alan Dunne took charge of The Angels at the beginning of this season and so far they are sat in 15th place after playing 17 games.
Previous meetings
Last season the two teams drew on both occasions with a 1-1 in Tonbridge with a Tom Mehew strike and a 0-0 result in Chippenham. The clubs have only met 11 times with all of these games being in the National League South, never meeting each other in any cup competitions. Chippenham have only won one of these 11 meetings against The Angels in a 2-1 win at home in the 2019/20 campaign. Tonbridge have won 7 of the clashes and there have been 3 draws so far.
Dangermen
Oluwabunmi Babajide, is a 22 year old striker who started his career at QPR academy who he then left in 2020. The striker with two goals so far this season has proved his qualities in the National League South as he joined Hampton & Richmond in 2024, going on loans to Chelmsford City and Carshalton Athletic. At the start of this season he signed for Tonbridge and has played in all of their league games this term.
Kyle Smith, is a 21 year old right back who began his career at Millwall’s academy before leaving them to join Braintree permanently at the start of this season where he left midway through October to join Tonbridge. This season he has five appearances in the National League and seven in the National League South for the Kent side. He has shown his versatility by playing in multiple positions down the right side whilst also being able to play on the left side of defence.
Supporter Information
This game is non-segregated, and tickets can be purchased via our INTIX page, as well as both cash and card on the day.
