MATCH PREVIEW: Weymouth vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Tuesday 20th August 2024

Declan Wright previews our trip to Weymouth

For the first time this season Chippenham will have midweek action, when we play the second of back-to-back away games, facing Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Last time out Chippenham travelled to one of the favourites for the league title, in Dorking Wanderers, on paper you could not have planned for a harder game first game away from home.

The first significant chance came Chippenham’s way when Harry Parsons cutting a wide pass to Joe Andrews who, after a little tumble, completed a pass to Caine Bradbury who shot just wide of the post.

Just before half time it was Dorking’s time to go out wide with Jason Prior linking with the Dorking number 7 Jimmy Muitt who crossed for Alfie Rutherford hitting a first-time volley into the net to give the home side the lead. In the second half Chippenham looked impressive and that was shown when Dorking were forced to play backwards, and Matt McClure’s press causing havoc, and a mistake.

The ball landed at McClure’s feet who played a short pass to Caine Bradbury and with a bit of magic to avoid a tackle from the Dorking defence, he got the shot off with the only thing stopping an equaliser was an off the line clearance from Dorking’s Tony Craig.

An unfortunate defeat against very tough opposition but the performance was pleasing and something the team will take onto the next game. The opposition

Weymouth FC also known as ‘The Terras’ was formed in 1890 and play their football at the Bob Lucas stadium that has a capacity of 6600 which 900 of them are seated.

Weymouth are currently managed by Mark Molesley who joined Weymouth for his second stint as manager of the club at the back end of last season.

Molesley, who has been a player, player-coach, caretaker manager and now first team manager for the Terras, has also managed teams in the National League with Southend United and Aldershot Town.

Weymouth’s 2 previous NLS games have seen them lose 3-2 away to Tonbridge on the opening weekend and just this past weekend lose 2-0 at home to Hemel Hempstead Town which has seen The Terras occupy the bottom of the National League South.

The past 21 games (going back to 2010/11 season) between the 2 sides has seen Chippenham come out on top 9 times. Weymouth have won 5 of the 20 games and the other 7 games have been drawn.

The last time Weymouth beat Chippenham in the league was during the 2014/2015 Southern Premier League season, when they beat Chippenham 3-2 at Hardenhuish Park. They did however come out on top in the 2017/2018 FA Cup 2nd qualifying round knocking The Bluebirds out with a 2-0 win at The Bob Lucas Stadium.

This week we have chosen Malachi Linton to be the player the Bluebirds should look out for.

The former Yeovil man joined the Terras last season on loan scoring 5 in 11 for them and has since Weymouth on a permanent deal. He has also played in the higher divisions, playing for teams like Wycombe Wanderers and Kings Lynn Town.

Linton has already shown his quality this season by scoring on the first game of the season in an away 3-2 defeat against Tonbridge Angels.

We will need all the support to get over the line so we urge you to travel to Dorset and be the 12th man, the players and staff will appreciate this support on what will be another tough game.

UP THE BLUEBIRDS!

For more information regarding tickets, please see our match info article.