MATCH PREVIEW: Taunton Town vs Chippenham Town | National League South, Mon 29th Aug 2022
Jamie Oleszynski previews our Bank Holiday Monday clash against Taunton Town.
For the first time at Step 2 level, Taunton Town and Chippenham Town will face off at the Cygent Health Care Stadium. After many a southern league battle in yester-year and following the Peacocks league winning campaign last campaign, the hopefully two sides will provide a thrilling encounter. After a less than ideal start to the season for both sides, the West Country outfits will be looking to each gain their second win of the season.
Chippenham are coming off the back of not only their first three points of the campaign, but also their first goal. A 1-0 win against local rivals Hungerford Town on Saturday lifted the Bluebirds out of the relegation zone, and will hopefully set up Chippenham for a charge up the table.
The Bluebirds currently lie in 19th, but with a win against Taunton this Bank Holiday Monday technically could propel them up into the playoffs. The early games of the season are all to play for, and it is difficult to assess the team’s performance this early, but if Gary Horgan and his squad can string together back-to-back triumphs it would certainly set up well for the next few weeks.
A positive start to September would be extra beneficial, as the Bluebirds are at a minimum set to play 7 matches throughout September. Our opponents come into this match in decent form; Taunton have managed 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses from their opening 5 bouts so far this season, but in the games that
the scoreline has gone against them, they have performed well.
Although two successive 1-0 defeats on Match Day 2 and 3 looks poor on paper, the peacocks haven’t gone down without a fight. Since then, they have managed a strong 2-1 win against Dartford, and a solid 0-0 draw at St Albans. Rob Dray has assembled an experienced squad that knows what it takes at this level.
The most recent clash between these sides was actually in a friendly in the run up to the 2020/21 season, where the Somerset club ran out 3-1 victors. Luke Russe netted in that match, and he will be looking to perform well, to go along with his Player of the Match award in the Hungerford tie.
There are a couple of Chippenham players who may have to sit this match out. Gary Horgan alerted in his Post-Match Interview that Spencer Hamilton may have to miss out after leaving the pitch early on against Hungerford. Alex Bray is unlikely to return following his muscle injury, however he will be back within the next few weeks.
On a positive note for Chippenham, Jordan Young was able to start for the first time this season, and he will be looking to complete a full 90 minutes. The rest of the Chippenham squad will be available. Taunton have two injuries of note; with Joe Guest being forced off against St Albans, he is unlikely to feature. Nick McCootie didn’t feature against the Saints, after leaving the field early in the previous match, and he is also a doubt to return.
If you are planning to join us at Taunton tomorrow, then please make sure you check out our Match Guide for all the latest information you need to know, such as (Travel, Stadium and Ticket Info). And if you’re not able to be there, we will be providing Official Radio Match Commentary of the game via our Mixlr account, so join us from 2:45pm for the latest!
COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!
