MATCH PREVIEW: Hemel Hempstead Town vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 8th February 2025

The Bluebirds are back on the road this Saturday as they travel to Hertfordshire to face Hemel Hempstead Town.

Last Time Out

Last time out, Gary Horgan’s boys came from behind against strugglers Aveley at The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, winning by two goals to one thanks to a well-worked free kick finished off by a Luke Haines header. Luke Spokes then found the winner after a good turn on the ball and a deflected shot that looped over goalkeeper James Holden.

The Opposition

Attention now turns to Hemel Hempstead away this weekend. The Tudors, founded in 1885, are six-time Herts Senior Cup champions, with their last title coming in 2015. They are also six-time Herts Charity Shield champions and three-time Herts Charity Cup champions.

In 2014, the team from Vauxhall Road was promoted from the Southern League Premier Division, finishing top of the league. They have remained in the sixth tier ever since, and in 2018, they reached the playoffs after finishing in fifth place. Unfortunately for the Tudors, they lost out to eventual winners Braintree Town in the quarter-finals on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Recent Encounters

Our boys in black should head to Vauxhall Road with a lot of confidence, having gone on a four-game unbeaten streak on the road, with three wins and a draw. We are also unbeaten in our last four meetings at Vauxhall Road, with three wins and a draw.

Last season in Hertfordshire, it was a 2-0 win for the Bluebirds. Craig Fasanmade scored against his old club after the ball fell to him from Eddie Jones’ deflected cross. Ed Williams then doubled the advantage on the stroke of halftime, finishing off a rebound from another Fasanmade effort as Gary Horgan’s side secured a valuable three points away on a wintery Tuesday night.

The last time two sides met was earlier this season, as Chippenham sealed a 3-0 victory at #TheTSStadium with Harry Parsons scoring from the penalty spot, Leone Gravata netting a superb finish just after the half following a brilliant team goal before Caine Bradbury sealed it with Chippenham’s third.

One to Watch

The biggest threat the Tudors will pose for Chippenham is winger Brandon Barzey, their top scorer this season in the league with seven goals to his name.

An exciting fixture awaits us at Vauxhall Road, with Chippenham looking to extend their unbeaten away run to five games.