Fourth place takes on eleventh place at Plainmoor as Tuesday as the Gulls take on the Bluebirds.
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 Horgan that steadied the ship and lead the Club to the highest finish in their 149-year history. A 7th place finish sealed 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 post-season action ended by way of a 1-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet in the semi finals.
Horgan led Chippenham to 12th position in the National League South last season as they finished on 62 points.
Player to Watch
Matt McClure came through the ranks at Wycombe Wanderers in 2008, before going onto make over 100 appearances for the Chairboys in a seven year spell at the club. The striker had loan spells at Burnham, Wealdstone and Hayes & Yeading. He moved to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2015.
After just one season at the Daggers, McClure then spent the next three years at Aldershot, playing over 100 games for the Hampshire club. A spell at Maidstone United followed, before joining Gloucester City. Upon his departure he headed for Chippenham in 2023.
How Are They Doing?
Chippenham started the season with a 2-1 home defeat to Farnborough and then succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Dorking the following week. A trip to Weymouth saw the Bluebirds get their first win of the season when they beat the Terras 2-0. Consecutive draws followed first at home to Maidstone (1-1) and then away at Chelmsford (0-0). They come into Tuesday night’s match on the back of a last gasp 3-2 win over new boys Enfield Town thanks to a 93rd minute winner from Aaron Amadi-Holloway.
Played for Both
Jay Foulston came through the ranks at Newport County and it was with the Welsh club that he had loan spells at Merthyr Town and Chippenham Town playing over 30 games for the former. Following his departure from the Exiles, Foulston then headed to Taunton Town and after four years at the Somerset side he joined the Bluebirds once again on loan.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2-1 Chippenham Town | National League South | Tuesday 15th August 2023
United gained their first win of 2023/24 with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chippenham Town at Plainmoor. After a scoreless first-half, both sides exchanged early second half goals via United’s Ross Marshall and Town’s Craig Fasanmade. It wasn’t until late in the second half that the men in yellow turned one point into three when Aaron Jarvis pounced with an injury-time winner.
Torquay United V Chippenham Town | National League South | Tuesday 3rd September 2024, 7:45pm KO | Book your tickets here.
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