MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-5 Swindon Town | Club Friendly Match | Saturday 19th July 2025

Harry Minton summarises the Wiltshire Derby!

Despite a poor result on paper, CTFC gained more valuable minutes in the legs as EFL’s Swindon Town ran out 5-1 victors, in front of a crowd of more than 1700!

The damage was done in the first half for the Bluebirds, as Swindon showed top professionalism, scoring four goals inside the first forty-five minutes. 

The first of the afternoon came after 180 seconds following great work from Aaron Drinan down the right. The Irish international cut in on his left foot before playing a perfect through ball towards Paul Glatzel who fired his effort past Will Henry. Swindon were up and running in the Wiltshire Derby.

The Robins could have easily had two about five minutes later, Dylan Mitchell’s curling effort from the left-hand side flashed just the right side of Henry’s post thankfully for Chippenham. 

However, just nine minutes later, the visitors showed their gulf in class once more. This time Glatzel turned provider as he played in Botan Ameen down the right who calmly slotted it past Henry into the far left corner. Ian Holloway’s side were two to the good inside under twenty minutes. 

Gary Horgan’s side really were up against it this first half, this time Daniel Butterworth found the number nine Glatzel. The latter rattled his effort against the post. That was yet another warning sign for the home faithful at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium.

Chippenham finally saw an opportunity arise for them. Quevin Castro decided to try a snapshot from the edge of the area, however this one was straight down the throat of the Swindon number one Conor Ripley.

This was now becoming a tough afternoon for the boys in blue. Swindon made it three and it was Glatzel and Ameen at the heart of all the action for the away side once more. The latter saw his initial effort saved from Henry, though he was there to stab home the rebound. At that point everyone around the stadium had the feeling that Swindon had confirmed the win. 

And the win seemed even more secure on the stroke of half time. A clever delivery on the free kick from Will Wright who founded James Ball free of space inside the eighteen yard box. The new summer signing from AFC Wimbledon saw his volleyed effort prove too much for Henry who sadly could not keep it out and that meant that Swindon Town were going into the break leading comfortably by four goals to nil. 

Despite there being not too many goals in the second half as opposed to the first, the game was still full of great chances being created. Swindon had a corner early into the second forty five, the delivery was very good. It looked for all the world that it was going to be five nil until former Robin, Luke Haines miraculously cleared the ball off the line for the Bluebirds. 

The away side then had a plethora of chances to score a fifth goal. Harry Smith had an opportunity after he was bearing down on goal down the right, his strike was narrowly wide of the left post. Meanwhile players such as Drinan, Ameen and Glatzel all kept Henry busy by forcing great stops out of the former Swindon goalkeeper. 

Gary Horgan’s boys did have chances of their own though. Haines was looking to score against his old side following a set piece delivery for Chippenham. However, the shot from the number six was very tame and Ripley comfortably collected it. 

Bluebirds right back Lewis Colwell also went for glory, he cut in on his left foot before having a go from range. He saw his effort well saved again by Ripley in the Swindon net.

It seemed like all players were trying to go for the spectacular, this time Ollie Clarke for the Robins tried to lob Henry from halfway. His strike in the end was only narrowly wide of the post, it was not a bad effort at all.

The home supporters finally had something to cheer about towards the end of the game. The substitute Tom Owen-Evans with a great volley from about thirty yards out. Ripley did not see it coming as it beautifully nestled into the bottom corner. Chippenham scored another goal against an EFL side in pre-season.

The celebrations did not last long for the home side however, as straight away from the restart, Jaxon Brown went up the other end and scored a fifth for Swindon. Finishing past the substitute goalkeeper Josh Sawyer. 

That was when the game finished after that goal went in. It was another tough day at the office for Chippenham in pre-season, though again they can hold their heads high for the fact they played up against another fully professional outfit in Swindon Town. 

CTFC: Will Henry (Josh Sawyer 86), Lewis Colwell (Trialist 80), Luke Haines (Harry Messenger 80), Jac Poffley, Ethan Vaughan (Freddie Grant 71), Tom Mehew (Jake Evans 80), Reece Fleet (Caine Bradbury 61), Quevin Castro (Tom Owen-Evans 61), Olaf Koszela, Harry Parsons (Henry Sady 71), Ezio Toruay (Harlee Vozza 80)