MATCH PREVIEW: Welling United vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Sat 12th Feb 2022
Simon Lawrence previews our upcoming National League South fixture away to Welling United.
After the Bluebirds last outing, the weeks results around the league have provided as much excitement for the Blue Army as the results on it for their Chippenham Town side as they prepare to travel to Peter Taylor and his Welling United side in the Vanarama National League South.
Chippenham got the job done last time out against a very resolute Concord Rangers side that arrived in Wiltshire with a clear and conscise game plan and it almost paid dividends for the Essex outfit. Bossing large parts of the game Chippenham struck the bar through Jordan Young and then a flowing move across the pitch found Kieran Parselle coming in on the back post to tickle to woodwork once again with Rangers keeper Myles Roberts stranded. It looked like for all their hard work Chippenham were going to have to settle for the point before Jordan Young (who has adopted a shoot on sight policy most of the afternoon) won the ball back just inside his own half. A quick glance at Roberts’ position and the Chippenham new boy let fly from the left hand side of the centre circle. What followed was a moment of pure magic with the ball flying over the Concord goalkeeper into the back of the net sparking scenes on the near side touchline as supporters and players jumped in unison in front of the Blues Bar worthy of any winning goal. Harrison Minturn had a late break up the pitch to kill the game off in injury time but found himself just lacking as the centre half just couldn’t get his shot off and the game ended 1-0 to the Bluebirds.
Results around the league were favourable with teams above us getting their results in and teams below us in the chasing pack left wanting, only Eastbourne Borough’s win against Tonbridge saw the Sussex side go above us in the league table but saw Chippenham retaining a place in the playoffs in 7th with the games in hand aspect starting to look a little more friendly. The longer we cling to this spot, the more chance supporters, directors, management and of course the players can keep the belief that this year could be a special one at Chippenham and long may that continue starting with a trip to London and Welling.
Welling are of course managed by former England manager, Peter Taylor and will no doubt be a stern test on their pitch at Park View Road. The Wings currently sit in 19th position and will be seeking their first win since the start of January where they saw off fellow playoff chaseing Dulwich Hamlet 1-0 however, you will have to go back to November for the last time Welling claimed all three points at home and Chippenham will go into this fixture, highly fancied by the bookmakers and will be looking to heap more misery on a Welling side lingering at the bottom of the National League South.
Manager Mike Cook will be thrilled at the prospect of once again pitting his wits against Taylor and no doubt out for a little vengeance as the last meeting between the two sides gave Welling a rare win in the National League South as they beat Chippenham 3-1 at the TSS no doubt galvanised by Taylor’s appointment. On the day, the scoreline was hardly a reflection of the game with big chances going begging for the Bluebirds especially a big chance through Will Richards with the game at 1-1 that had it been converted would no doubt have changed the course of the next 40 minutes. In the end however, goals from Daniel Carr, Che Krabbendem and the lively danger man, striker Dipo Akinyemi were enough to cancel out a glorious strike from Adam Mann and send the Wings back to London with 3 points.
Cook’s side will no doubt be flying at the moment with excellent business done to bring Jordan Young to the club on a permanent basis and the return from injury for both Alex Bray and Danny Greenslade giving Mike options at the back and Harry Warwick returning to bolster our attacking options. Mike will no doubt be looking for a couple of additions to the squad via the loan market as we head down the stretch but for now, we look in a good place and it’s all smiles as we head to London to hopefully continue one of the best away forms in the division and secure three more valuable points towards our playoff push.
Should you be looking to travel to Welling, tickets are available online and on the gate and take it from me, there is no better feeling than a Chippenham away day at the moment. We as a club look solid, together and bouyant on the road and at this moment in time, no one wants to play Chippenham! It would be lovely to have as many supporters as possible join us for away games and it is very much appreciated by the lads.
Also don’t forget this is a big month for CTFC at home with games to follow against Eastbourne and Hampton and Richmond. February could be a real season defining time for us a club especially where our playoff ambitions are concerned so please, get yourself along, support the boys and let’s show that there is a ton of fight in this scrappy underdog in a league full of huge budgets and worldly resources!
COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!
