MATCH PREVIEW: Maidstone United vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 15th March 2025
On the weekend, our Bluebirds will be making the trip to Kent in search of ending the four-game losing run as they face Maidstone United.
Last Time Out
Last time out for Gary Horgan’s side, they entertained high-flying Truro City at home under the lights. The manager did say in his post-match interview that “we could have at least been four or five nil up at half time” after the chances that our boys in blue did have to put the ball in the back of the net.
However, in the second half, the Tinners, being a good team, did show that if you don’t take your chances, you will get punished. They scored three unanswered goals in the space of nine minutes through a Tyler Harvey brace and a goal for Luke Jephcott, sealing a 3-0 win for the visitors on Tuesday night.
Our Opponents – Maidstone United
Maidstone United, nicknamed the Stones, were re-founded in 1992 after the original team folded while in the Football League. Upon reforming, the club joined the Kent County League (Level 11), and over the course of twenty-three years, amidst all the problems with having to ground-share with Sittingbourne during the Kent years, in 2016, they were promoted to the fifth tier of English football (The National League) for the first time since reforming.
During their time in the National League, the Stones had a lot of success in the FA Cup, qualifying for the first round for three seasons in a row. They even made it to Round Two on two occasions. The first time was in the 2017/18 season after beating League Two side Cheltenham Town 4-2 away before losing 4-1 to MK Dons, who were a League One club at the time. The next season, they knocked Macclesfield Town out in Round One, winning 2-1, before falling to a 2-0 defeat at home to Oldham in the second round.
Of course, last season was the club’s finest year in the FA Cup as they made it all the way to the fifth round, beating three Football League clubs along the way, including Barrow, Stevenage, and Ipswich Town away. They eventually bowed out away to Coventry City in a 5-0 defeat for George Elokobi’s side. Last season, they also made the National League South playoffs, though they sadly lost out in the semi-finals 2-1 to eventual runners-up Worthing.
Head to Head
Chippenham have only played away at Maidstone three times in the club’s history. The head-to-head record is equal, with one Bluebirds win, one defeat, and one draw.
Last season, it was a narrow 1-0 win for the Wiltshire outfit, thanks to a stunning first-half strike from outside the box by Jake Evans, giving Gary Horgan’s side all three points at the Gallagher Stadium. Earlier this season, these two sides met at The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium. That game ended in a stalemate, with few chances for either side, though it was the first home point of the season for the Bluebirds.
Ones to Watch
One player to keep an eye on for the Stones this weekend is striker Aaron Blair. Blair has scored fourteen league goals this year, along with sixteen in all competitions. The Chippenham backline will have to be switched on if they wish to keep him quiet.
Round-up
If you wish to travel to the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday to follow the Bluebirds away, tickets are available on Maidstone United’s website. Prices are as follows:
Adults: £17
Concessions (65+/Students): £13
Youth (11-17): £7
Juniors (Under 11): Free, with a paying adult
Live radio match commentary will be available for this game. You can listen to Jamie Oleszynski and Matt Chappell’s commentary on Mixlr.
An intriguing test awaits Chippenham this Saturday. With Matt McClure returning to the Gallagher Stadium as a former Stones player, he’ll surely be hoping to make an impact for the visitors.
COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!!!
