MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Weston-super-Mare | Isuzu FA Trophy | Saturday 15th November

Charlie Sugg previews our FA Trophy opener.

Cup action is back at the TS Stadium this weekend as the Bluebirds welcome Weston-Super-Mare for the second time this season where CTFC can start a good cup run in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

The opposition

Weston-Super-Mare A.F.C. were originally founded in 1887, where their first competitive game came against local neighbours Clevedon Town in a medal competition organised by the Somerset FA. In 1900 they joined Division two of the Western Football League but left after two years before re-joining in 1910 until WWI. Between the wars Weston played in the Bristol and District Football League followed by the Somerset County League until the club folded due to the start of world war two.
The club reformed in 1948 joining the Weston League Division Two, where they were runners up in 1976-77 and became champions in 1991-92. 11 years later they were promoted from the Southern League Western Division finishing second and joined the Conference Southern Division. In 2012-13 they reached their highest ever League finish, seventh with 67 points. Their 16 year spell in the National League South ended in 2018-19 where they were relegated finishing 22nd, seven points from safety. Weston were crowned champions of the Southern League Premier South in the 2022-23 campaign reaching 93 points while only conceding 32 goals across the season.

This campaign started with an, at the time, disappointing 3-2 defeat away at Hornchurch on opening day but Weston started the season flying going unbeaten for the next eight league games, winning seven. Following those eight games their manager, Scott Bartlett left the club to join National league side Eastleigh. Weston put Scott Rogers in charge as interim manager and after a good win in the FA Cup and an unfortunate loss away at AFC Totton he was appointed permanent manager. During their last five league games Weston have won three, drawing one and losing one. They have had a very successful FA Cup run this season reaching the Second Round after beating Aldershot 2-1 in Extra time in the First Round with former Bluebird Will Dawes assisting the winner that day. They face Chelmsford City next weekend for a spot in Round Three.

Weston have made nine additions to their squad this season. A key signing they have made is former Northern Irish international Michael Smith who is experienced in the EFL playing 246 times across the three divisions playing fullback for Peterborough United and Bristol Rovers.

On Thursday Weston have lost crucial player Sam Pearson who has signed for Eastleigh for an undisclosed fee. Following this Weston signed former Oxford United and Bristol Rovers midfielder Liam Sercombe to add experience in the middle of the park. The signings continued into Friday as they announced the signing of Bath City forward Scott Wilson.

Fixture history

Since 2017, The Bluebirds have faced the Seagulls a total of 11 times with the wins heading slightly in Weston’s favour. Weston have won five games whereas Chippenham have won four. We faced Weston earlier on in the season where we fell short losing with 2-1 with a great half volley on the edge of the box by Caine Bradbury scoring the goal of the game.

We did the league double over Weston last season; winning 3-1 away from home, courtesy of a Will Dawes brace and Harry Parsons low finish.

In the reverse fixture, we all but ended Weston’s playoff ambitions as the two Lukes, Haines and Spokes, scored to grab ourselves a 2-0 win.

Familiar Faces

Will Dawes – Dawes signed for Weston-Super-Mare in March 2025 after leaving us. During his nine months as a Bluebird he featured 35 times in the 2024-25 season scoring three times and assisting twice.

Dangermen

Louis Britton – Britton is Weston’s top goal scorer this season who has eight goals this season for the Seagulls in 15 games, Britton also scored the winner against Chippenham earlier on this season in the league. Additionally Britton has played the most amount of minutes of any outfield player for Weston this season.
Will Dawes – Dawes is an experienced NLS player, he was part of Yeovil’s title winning campaign and also a spell at Chippenham. Currently this season Dawes is their leading assister assisting five times while his only goal this season came against Chippenham at the TS Stadium.
Michael Smith – Smith is an experienced EFL player for many years who is a 37yr old defender is certainly a reliable player for Weston this season. He has participated in 14 games for the Seagulls this season assisting on four occasions helping Weston keep eight clean sheets this league campaign.

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.

Please note that Season Tickets are NOT VALID for this Isuzu FA Trophy fixture.

See you there Bluebirds! And know that it is just 6 wins until Wembley! 💙