MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Weston-super-Mare | National League South | Friday 18th April 2025

Harry Minton previews our game against Weston

On Good Friday, it’s the penultimate home game of the season for the Bluebirds as they welcome playoff-chasing Weston-super-Mare to the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium.

Last Time Out

Last time out, Gary Horgan’s side travelled to Woodside Road to take on second-placed Worthing.

It didn’t start well for our boys in blue, as the hosts took the lead just fifteen minutes in through a simple pass from Danny Cashman to Temi Babalola.

The forward skipped past Jac Poffley before slotting the ball past Will Henry at his near post.

However, the Wiltshire side got back into it after the half-hour mark, when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Tyreke Johnson in the box. Matt McClure stepped up and fired his penalty past Lucas Covolan to draw the Bluebirds level against the high-flying Worthing.

Caine Bradbury then had a great chance to give Chippenham the lead, but his free-kick was well saved by Covolan down to his left. Just before the half-time break, though, Worthing were back in front with a brilliant strike from Muhammadu Faal, who curled his effort in off both posts from the left side of the box.

In the second half, it was one-way traffic for the hosts. Faal got his second of the game with a header from Nicky Wheeler’s cross, effectively putting the game to bed. Babalola added his second late on to put the cherry on top for the Rebels. Our boys in blue were well beaten in West Sussex.

Our Opponents

Weston-super-Mare, nicknamed the Seagulls, were founded in 1887, with their first match coming against nearby neighbours Clevedon Town. In their early years, they played in leagues such as the Western League, the Bristol and District League, and the Somerset County League. However, in 1939, the club disbanded due to the outbreak of war.

Weston reformed in 1948 and immediately joined the Western League, where they remained until 1992, when they were promoted to the Southern League.After bouncing between the Midland and Southern divisions for a decade, the Seagulls finally won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 2003, finishing second behind Merthyr Tydfil.

They spent just one season in the division, finishing tenth, but qualified for the newly-formed Conference South. Weston competed in the sixth tier of English football for fifteen years, with their highest-ever finish being seventh. They were relegated in 2019 after finishing bottom.

Their first two seasons back in the Southern League were cut short due to Covid, meaning their first full campaign in the seventh tier was the 2021/22 season. Weston reached the playoffs, finishing fifth, but lost 2–1 in the semi-finals to eventual runners-up Hayes & Yeading.

They didn’t let that heartbreak stop them, though— the following season, they won the league with 93 points, three clear of Bracknell Town, and earned automatic promotion. Weston were back in the National League South!

Last season was a respectable return, finishing 13th. This season, the Seagulls are pushing hard for a playoff place, currently sitting seventh and unbeaten in their last seven league games.

Head to head

The last win at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium for the Bluebirds came back in 2018 with a 2–0 victory. The first goal was a nice finish on the turn by Andy Sandell into the bottom corner, and just three minutes later, Mike Jones made it two with a cheeky chip over the keeper. It was a freezing day, with players battling not just Weston but also the Beast from the East.

Last season, the fixture was a scrappy midweek affair in which Chippenham struggled to create chances. Rex Mannings’ goal on forty minutes—set up by Dale Grubb—secured all three points for the Seagulls.

Earlier this season at the Optima, Gary Horgan’s boys earned a 3–1 win, thanks to a brace from Will Dawes (who now plays for Weston) and a goal from Harry Parsons. Reuben Reid scored a consolation for the hosts.

Ones to Watch

The Bluebirds’ backline will have to keep a close eye on Luke Coulson. The forward has scored 21 league goals this season, plus four more in other competitions, and has been Weston’s standout player.

Round-Up

This will be no easy game for the Bluebirds, up against a team full of confidence and still chasing a playoff place with three games left. But we’ve shown this season we can get results against the top sides.

COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!