Match Preview: FA Trophy 2nd Rnd
Chippenham Town vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 18th November 2023 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Thornbury Surfacing Stadium, Bristol Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6LR
Chippenham Town (The Bluebirds), Avg 2023-24 Home Att 589
With two losses over the past seven days, our ever-increasing injury-hit squad heads out west to Chippenham Town in a FA Trophy second round game tomorrow afternoon.
National League South side Chippenham Town were hosts in a pre-season friendly, that saw us go toe-to-toe in a battling performance from what was close to our expected starting eleven, and a late Dan Rowe finish was the only goal on the night.
Our Opponents
The Magpies are managed by Gary Horgan, who joined as a player for a second spell as a player from Hungerford Town in 2016 and joined the coaching staff in 2017. He took up the Manager’s role in 2022, and continues as manager for the 2023/24 season.
Chippenham sit in thirteenth place in the National League South table, with a record of Pld 17 Won 6 Drawn 6 Lost 5, and 24pts, They have picked up in the last four matches, with two wins and two draws.
I’m not going to go through a full team expectation, but their leading goal-scorers are forwards Matt McClure who has seven goals, including two from the penalty spot. McClure, who turned thirty-two today, has previously played for clubs such as Wycombe Wanderers, Dagenham and Redbridge, Aldershot Town, Maidstone United, and Gloucester City. Fellow striker Craig Fasanmade, has four goals and has been with the Bluebirds just over a year, having played for the likes of Oxford City, Thame(loan), Banbury (loan), Hungerford Town, Wealdstone, Hemel Hempstead Town. Midfielder Caine Bradbury has four league goals, and signed pro-forms with the club last November.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
Having slipped out of the Hampshire Snr Cup on penalties on Tuesday evening, we head out on the road to face step 2 side Chippenham Town, in what will likely be the most challenging game of the season for Manager Dan Brownlie to put together a side that can do justice for the club.
Putting a side our league position of tenth, after other midweek league games, we go into this game with no expectations, but a chance for us to battle and see where this leads us.
In the attack, we should have Liam Ferdinand back, who has more than met many fans expectations, whilst a game-time decision on whether Dan Rowe is able to go after last week’s knock, is just one of a number of players Dan is hoping can make the starting line-up. Bradley Wilson, who found the net twice on Tuesday evening and now has ten goals on the season, will be the other threat upfront. It is unlikely that Stefan Brown, Ashleigh Artwell and George Reid are ready to return to the match-day squad. Noah Chengun, is likely to be an option of the bench once again.
Assuming Michael Atkinson will be able to go, he will wear the captains armband once again. He will be ably supported by D’Andre Brown, who has been one bright spot of our recent games. Paul Hodges who has been in an attacking midfield role since his return, was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet Tuesday. Josh Squires could also win a start here as well. I assume Aleksander Kokoska will be probably win a bench role here. Josh De Lacy-Turner is also another option that should be on the bench.
More decisions in the defence as well, as who will be alongside Nathan Smart at centre-back, as young Jake Impiazzi who looked impressive till he picked up his knock, will also be a game-time decision as well. If Impiazzi is unable to go, and unless loanee Reggie Evans, is still not ready, it will give Dan another position to fill. I assume we may revert back to Kai Hobbs & Markus Johnson-Shuster in the defensive back roles.
Who will win the goalkeepers jersey tomorrow as either Paul Strudley or Mark Scott could get the start.
Other players who could earn slots on the bench include Harvey Collins and young academy striker Charlie Barlow.
Having never seen such a long injury-list since supporting this club, Manager Dan Brownlie basically has a free-hit tomorrow afternoon. Chippenham will clearly be eyeing up the third round draw, but with a strong travelling support behind the club tomorrow afternoon, then stranger things can happen.
As always those travelling to the game, let’s get behind Dan & the boys.
At this time, I’m unaware of any potential planned pitch inspection.
Match Preview by Martin French..
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