MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Vs Swindon Town | Club Friendly Match | Saturday 19th July 2025
Sam Hart previews the Robins’ first pre-season visit to Chippenham in seven years!
The Bluebirds are again in home action at The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, as we welcome local League Two outfit Swindon Town for our fourth game of the 2025/26 pre-season campaign!
Last Time Out
Another run out for the squad, this time against National League Side, Yeovil Town which saw the Bluebirds defeated 3-2 late on in the game, in what was another exciting fixture as Gary Horgan’s side continue to build toward the new season. Goals from Tom Owen-Evans and Ezio Touray weren’t enough to secure the victory but show promising signs of what is to come in the following season!
The match also saw more minutes for academy players Harry Messenger, Ollie Smith and Josh Sawyer!
The Opposition
The Robins are coming off the back of a very mixed campaign, with the first half of the season’s results leaving them in a relegation battle. However, tides have turned since the appointment of iconic manager Ian Holloway, as he changed their fortunes around and guided Swindon to a steady 12th place finish. The Reds will be hoping to push on in League Two and challenge for promotion back to League One.
Swindon have had a good start to their pre-season campaign, earning back-to-back 4-0 victories over Swindon Supermarine and Melksham , as well as a run out against League One side Reading, which saw them fall to a 2-1 defeat in a 120-minute game.
Fixture History
The last time we faced Swindon in a pre-season friendly was back in 2018, which saw the Bluebirds run out 2-0 victors with goals from Nick McCootie and Dean Evans. Now Chippenham goalkeeper Will Henry was in goal for Swindon that day!
More recently, the two sides met in the Wiltshire Senior Cup back in the 2022/23 season. A youthful Chippenham were defeated 3-1 in this tie which saw them knocked out of the county cup.
Familiar Faces
Saturday’s fixture could see a return for former loanee, Harrison Minturn. The young defender had multiple loan spells with The Bluebirds and featured in the club’s historic FA cup campaign in the 2022/23 season.
Will Henry, Canice Carroll, Luke Haines and Harry Parsons also gear up to reunite with their former club in this pre-season tester!
Ones To Watch
There are a couple players to watch out for in this pre-season fixture! The non-league sensation Jake Tabor has taken social media by storm. Tabor joined The Robins after a successful trial, seeing him jump to League Two from Step Five of the non-league pyramid! During his spell with Amersham Town, he scored 127 times in 91 appearances for the club, during a two-year stay.
Young midfielder Dylan Mitchell is another one to watch for Swindon, following three impressive displays so far in pre-season. Mitchell spent the majority of last season on loan at National League North side Hereford. He is a quick-thinking midfielder, with a great eye for a pass, and robust in his defensive actions.
We would like to see the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium packed with Bluebirds and Robins for this exciting pre-season fixture and hope to see you there!
Tickets
Tickets for the match are still available on our Eventbrite page! Pay on the day tickets are also available, with both cash and card payments accepted!
Online tickets will come off of sale at midday on Saturday the 19th!
Come on you Bluebirds!
