TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Chippenham Town vs Torquay United – National League South

Venue: Hardenhuish Park, Chippenham

Date: Tuesday 4th March 2025

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 3

Draw: 1

Chippenham: 2

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W2 – D3 – L1

W 2-0 Eastbourne H

D 2-2 Worthing A

W 2-1 Hornchurch H

L 2-3 Chelmsford A

D 1-1 Weston SM A

D 2-2 Boreham H

Chippenham – W3 – D2 – L1

L 2-4 Hemel Hempstead Town A

W 2-0 Chesham United H

W 2-1 Hampton and Richmond Borough A

D 1-1 Welling United H

W 2-1 Slough Town A

D 1-1 St Albans City H

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (13)

Chippenham: Harry Parsons (10)

CHIPPENHAM FACT FILE

Year founded: 1873

Nickname: The Bluebirds

Last season’s league finish: 12th in National League South

Chippenham Town notable honours:

Southern League Premier Champions: 2016-17

THE MANAGER – GARY HORGAN

Gary joined Chippenham Town for a second spell as a player from Hungerford Town in September 2016 and joined the coaching staff for the 2017-18 season. He was invited to take up the manager’s position towards the end of the 2021-22 season following the departure of the previous management team and has remained in charge ever since.

PLAYER TO WATCH – LUKE SPOKES

Central midfielder Luke Spokes joined the Bluebirds in the summer from Bath City. The Bristolian had previously started out in non-league football with spells at Mangotsfield Town and Yate Town before moving onto Taunton Town. He earned a move to the professional ranks with Grimsby Town in the 2020-21 season where he remained until he was released in the summer of 2022 and returned to the South West to join the Romans. During his time with the Mariners, he also had loan stints with Boston United and Spennymoor Town.

SPOKES STATS – Position: Midfield – Date of Birth: 06/08/00 – Height: 1.82m – Previous Clubs: Mangotsfield, Yate, Taunton, Grimsby, Boston, Spennymoor, Bath City – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 32, Goals 5, Yellow/Red Cards 7/1

OLD BOYS

Torquay: Jay Foulston, Jordan Young

Chippenham: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Matt Carson, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jordan Thomas; Oscar Threlkeld, Dan Hayfield; Lirak Hasani, Jordan Young, Matt Jay; Cody Cooke

Chippenham Town (4-5-1): Will Henry; Alex Bray, Jac Poffley, Freddie Grant, Tyreke Johnson; Luke Spokes, Caine Bradbury, Joe Andrews, Tom Owen-Evans, Leon Gravata; Harry Parsons

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Tuesday 3rd September 2024, Torquay United 3 Chippenham Town 0

A dominant first half display saw United return to winning ways against Chippenham Town. A Lirak Hasani header from a Ben Seymour cross gave United the lead on six minutes, which was doubled on nine minutes when Ed Palmer nodded home a corner from Matt Carson. The lead was extended further in the 26th minute as Dan Hayfield lifted his shot over the head of Chippenham keeper Will Henry.