MATCH PREVIEW: Farnborough vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 18th March 2023
Sam Hart previews our away tie against Farnborough.
The Bluebirds are back on the road this Saturday travelling to Farnborough. Chippenham have picked up a decent bit of form in recent weeks with three wins in a row and a total of nine games unbeaten. This run of form sees Chippenham leap out of the relegation zone by four points with games in hand on the teams around. Not only has this recent revival of form helped Chippenham out of the relegation zone, but put them back in contention for places as high as 14th where Dover Athletic sit on 44 points only four points in-front of The Bluebirds. If the boys in blue can take advantage of the games in hand and continue to rise up the table, there’s sure to be a smile on every fan’s face.
About the Opposition
Last season, Farnborough achieved promotion to the National League South via the Southern League Premier Division play-offs, defeating Metropolitan Police in the semi-finals and Hayes and Yeading in the final 2-1. As well as achieving promotion, they also won the Hampshire Senior Cup.
Current first team manager Spencer Day has lead Farnborough to 12th place in the National League South so far this season, winning 15, drawing 9 and losing 11. They are still very much in the hunt for a play-off position as they sit six points outside with three games in hand on most teams in the chase.
Farnborough play at The Easy As HGV Stadium, which holds a current capacity of 6,500 people. The Easy As HGV Stadium has undergone recent renovations to improve supporter experience with brand-new stands in place. Farnborough play on a fresh flat grass surface which is sure to have helped in their success this season.
Farnborough have bolstered their roster in recent weeks with the loan signing of Adam Lovett from Sutton United and the permanent signing of Zaid Al-Hussaini following his release from Crawley Town.
The Bluebirds are yet to face Farnborough this season and face the Boro at home on April 4th in the return fixture.
Familiar Face
Chippenham will be expecting to see a familiar face this weekend with former Town loanee Harry Parsons signing for Farnborough on a loan deal until the end of the season. Harry, who scored against Burton in the Bluebirds’ FA Cup run, has gone on to net 5 goals for Farnborough since his arrival. The Bluebirds certainly know his threat and will be looking to nullify him early doors.
One to watch
Mason Bloomfield started his career at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2014, and after three loan spells in non-league, signed for Chelmsford in 2015. After joining Billericay on a dual registration basis, he left Chelmsford and joined Grays Athletic. After a few more spells in the depths of non-league football he earned a move to Norwich City in 2018. He proceeded to go on loan to Hamilton Academical, AFC Fylde and Crawley Town. He then left Norwich for Hartlepool where he netted twice in 22 appearances. He signed for Farnborough from Bromley in January 2023 and has netted six goals in six appearances, proving to be a clinical forward at this level.
