The first of back-to-back away fixtures for United this week sees Gary Johnson’s men head to Wiltshire to face Chippenham Town on Tuesday evening.
Following Saturday’s victory over Dover at Plainmoor, United will now hit the road for successive fixtures before the side head into a busy February schedule. First up for Gary Johnson’s side are Chippenham, who will be looking to get back to winning ways, as the Bluebirds are without a win in their last four league fixtures.
Who’s the Boss?
Gary Horgan initially joined The Bluebirds as a player from rivals Hungerford Town in 2016, before making the step up into the coaching ranks the following year.
With previous incumbent Mike Cook departing Hardenhuish Park during the latter stages of 2021/22, it was to Gary that the Town board turned to steady the ship, with Horgan duly responding by leading the Club to the highest finish in their 149-year history, with 7th-position sealing a place in the National League South Play-Offs. A penalty-shoot win over Dartford raised hopes of a rise to non-League’s top tier, before their participation in the post-season action ended by way of a 1-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet at the semi-final stage.
Horgan was in charge of Chippenham last season when they came to Plainmoor for the Isuzu FA Trophy game which United win 3-2 to progress in the competition.
How have they being doing?
Tomorrow’s hosts currently sit in 17th after 27 games, with their 34 points made up by 8 wins, 10 draws and 9 defeats. Despite being without a win in their last five games in all competitions, the Bluebirds secured a 2-2 draw against 7th placed Aveley at the weekend, and following a 1-1 draw at National League side Bromley, were knocked out of the Isuzu FA Trophy following penalties. Chippenham’s last victory game just before Christmas, when the side secured a 1-0 victory over 4th placed Maidstone, the Bluebirds also previously battled out a 1-1 draw against league leaders Yeovil back in November.
Chippenham were recently boosted by the return of Tyreke Johnson following injury, with the striker scoring last time out against Aveley, however, the Wiltshire side have been without some key players recently with Alex Bray out injured, and Luke Haines and Tom Mehew also missing from their squad on Saturday.
Player to Watch
Caine Bradbury has been with Chippenham since he was a young boy, and progressed through the Bluebirds’ academy before earning his first team break during 2021/22. Upon the arrival of current manager Horgan, Bradbury signed his first professional deal in November 2022 before going on to regularly feature for Chippenham throughout the remainer of 2021/22 both in the regular season, and in the Bluebirds’ play-off fixtures against Dartford and Ebbsfleet.
Previously, in 2019/20 the youngster spent time out on loan at Royal Wootton Bassett, where the midfielder was the Clubs leading appearance maker having featured 31 times, during which Bradbury also scored two goals. His loan stint earned him recognition from the Royal Wootton Bassett supporters, as at the end of season awards, Bradbury received ‘Supporters Player of the Year’.
Last June it was announced that the young midfielder had extended his contract with his home town club, with the 22 year-old having been described as “a bit of a box office player with goals from distance his forte” and a “one man ‘goal of the season’ show when he’s on it.” The youngster scored a vital winner against Met Police in the side’s record-breaking Emirates FA Cup run to reach the Second Round Proper, with Bradbury going on to start cup ties against Lincoln and Burton Albion.
Last season the midfielder narrowly missed out on Chippenham’s Goal of the Season Award, but received recognition as the Club’s Young Player of the Year. This season, the 22-year-old has made 20 league appearances and so far scored four goals, with his latest coming last weekend against Aveley.
Played for Both
Having made his debut for Plymouth Argyle in the 2020/21 season, Tomlinson went on to chalk up seven appearances for the Pilgrims’ first team, having previously graduated from their academy, before going on to gain further senior experience elsewhere, including a loan stint at Truro City the following season, where the young centre-back made 27 appearances and scored two goals.
Following his release from Argyle in the summer of 2022, Ollie signed on at Plainmoor, before agreeing a new deal with United last summer, which sees the centre-back now in his second season at the Club. Ollie gained further senior experience last season with loan spells in the National League South with Taunton, whom he featured three times for, before making 12 appearances for Chippenham Town, where he also scored one goal. During his stint with the Bluebirds towards the end of last season, Ollie was a popular loan signing, with his defensive displays earning praise from Gary Horgan, and Chippenham supporters.
Since agreeing a deal to remain with United ahead of the current campaign, Ollie has gone on to establish himself as an ever-present in the side, with Saturday’s victory over Dover marking the centre-back’s 30th appearance for the Club. Ollie has also scored two goals so far this season – the winner away at St Albans City back in August, as well as a volley against Frome Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy. Popular amongst the Yellow Army, the 21-year-old was also voted BVEC Player of the Month for November 2023.
Previous Encounter
Chippenham 2 – 1 United
Friday, April 19th 2019, National League South
Having been crowned champions at Plainmoor five days earlier, United’s only previous league match at Hardenhuish Park saw them suffered a rare defeat, as they went down to a lively Chippenham Town.
Dean Evans headed the home side ahead against the run of play midway through the first half, and despite substitute Olaf Koszela levelling the scores with his first professional goal, it was Town who prevailed, with Nick McCootie firing home the winner.