MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Truro City | National League South | Tuesday 11th March 2025

It’s the last match under the lights at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium this season as the Bluebirds welcome high-flying Truro City.

Transfer News

The club announced a departure during the later part of the week, with Will Dawes leaving Chippenham Town to join fellow National League South opponents Weston Super Mare. Dawes joined the Bluebirds in the summer from Yeovil Town, and in his short time in Wiltshire he registered three goals (including two against Weston) and two assists in all competitions. Everyone at the club wish Will all the best at his new club.

Following an injury sustained to Will Henry during the defeat to Torquay United at home last Tuesday. Gary’s side moved in to secure a one-month emergency loan for Josey Casa-Grande from Bristol City. The 19-year-old Welsh keeper has also had stints at Weymouth, Tiverton Town and of course our local rivals Bath City.

Last Time Out

Last time out for Gary Horgan’s boys they travelled to Priory Lane to take on Eastbourne Borough. The game started off well with Leone Gravata scoring a similar goal to his equaliser away at Slough after he cut in on his right foot and curled the ball into the far corner after a good through ball from Joe Andrews. Debutant Josey Casa-Grande then saved a penalty on his debut against George Alexander.

After that penalty save, however, it all went downhill for our boys in blue. The hosts soon found their equaliser after Jayden Davis got his head to the ball from a cross; his header was nodded downwards, but it still bounced off the turf and looped over the head of Casa-Grande into the goal. The goals just followed for Eastbourne from there really; they got their second just before half-time through Yahaya Bamba after he was given the space to work his way into the box and fire past Casa-Grande at his far post. After not much happening throughout the second half, just after the hour mark Eastbourne got their third goal after Alexander was sent racing through on goal. Casa-Grande tried to rush off his line to make the goal look small; however, the Sports had a man waiting for a tap-in in Jason Adigun, who slotted home the easiest finish he will have this season. Minutes later, the home side sealed the deal with Alexander finally getting his goal after missing the first-half penalty with a delightful chip over Casa-Grande, who was helpless in keeping Alexander’s effort out of the net this time as the Bluebirds came away from Sussex empty-handed.

Our Opponents – Truro City

Truro City, nicknamed the Tinners, were formed in 1889 and immediately became one of the founding members of the Cornwall County Football Association. Later that year, they played their first game at Truro School, winning 7-1 against Penzance. The club would then move to Tolgarrick for future games. In 1895, the Tinners won their first piece of Silverware, beating Launceston by five goals to nil in the final of the Cornwall Senior Cup. Truro left Cornish football during the 1930s to join the Plymouth and District league, which they would go on to win in 1936/1937.

Due to them being in the Plymouth and District League though, they were barred from competing in the Cornwall Senior Cup but were later re-admitted in 1938. They became founding members of the South Western League in 1951, however the Tinners did struggle in the initial years, requiring re-election to stay in the league in the first two seasons and were also forced to drop down to the Cornwall Combination League between 1975 and 1978 after losing their home ground due to road widening. The 1990s would prove to be a good time for Truro in the South Western League however as they won three titles, most recently in 1997/1998.

Between 2005 and 2011, Truro City had a meteoric rise up the football pyramid as they went from the South Western League (tied 11) all the way to the National League South (tier 6). Alongside that in 2007 the club became FA Vase champions for the first time in their history, winning by three goals to one against AFC Totton in front of an FA Vase record crowd of 36,232 at Wembley. Truro were relegated back to the Southern Premier Division at the end of the 2012/2013 season after being deducted ten points for entering administration. Since then, the Tinners have fluctuated between the Southern Premier and the National League South, recently achieving promotion back to the sixth tier in 2023 after beating Bracknell Town 3-2 in the playoff final.

Head to Head

The head to head record between these two sides in Wiltshire actually favours the Bluebirds more, with the record being five wins for Chippenham, one draw and two wins for Truro at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium.

That one draw was in fact towards the end of last season in a game which saw a flurry of chances for either side, however both defences were on it as it finished in a bore draw in the end. Of course earlier on in the season at their place it was a real cagey game where we didn’t see a breakthrough until eighty six minutes on the clock when Matt McClure slotted home a penalty after a foul in the box on Freddie Grant. However, the Tinners fought back to grab an equaliser deep into injury time when Billy Palfrey tapped home past Will Henry after a cross from former Bluebird Tom Harrison.

Ones to Watch

The biggest threat to look out for from the visitors on Tuesday night will be striker Tyler Harvey. He has netted a total of nineteen times this season, which has him currently in third for the highest top goalscorer in the division. The forward has also netted a total of seventy-seven goals throughout his career in the sixth tier playing for both Truro and our A4 rivals Bath City.

Round-up

There will be no live radio match commentary for this game, but do be sure to follow our X/Twitter for live updates throughout the game on there. Also, if you do wish to join us at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium this Tuesday evening, then ticket prices are as follows, also note that Tickets are only available on the gate but Cash / Card payments are accepted.

Adults: £16, Senior Citizens*: £12, Junior (16-17): £6, Child (5-15): £4

*Students with a student card and served Armed Forces personnel with an ID card.

No doubt this will be a tough game against a side currently one point off top spot and haven’t lost a game since January. However, I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere for the final night game at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium this season.

COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!!!!