TT REVIEW

Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

Tom reports on the lost at Chippenham

CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1-0 TORQUAY UNITED – 10.02.2026

SUMMARY

There are 3 guarantees in life. Death, taxes & Torquay United losing to bottom of the table sides. Did we really expect anything less? Be honest now.

The Gulls travelled to Wiltshire hoping to put the pressure on those below them in what on paper should have been a formality. Chippenham on a four-game losing run whilst the Gulls were unbeaten since the 20^th December.

Paul Wotton made 2 changes to the line up with Ed Palmer in for the injured Jordan Dyer at CB & Nash Sundire in for Dan Hayfield.

The Gulls first half performance can be described as passive. Kieran Wilson nearly broke the deadlock midway in the half after forcing a shot at goal which deflected just over the bar. Despite having most of possession, United did little with it to worry the Bluebirds & Chippenham nearly took the lead going into half time as Sonny Blu made a suicidal pass aimed for Matt Worthington which set up Ezio Touray who saw his effort saved well by Hamon before being denied what would have been a spectacular finish had it not been for Sam Dreyer on the line to clear away.

Wotton made 2 changes at half time, bringing on back from suspension Louis Dennis & Dylan Morgan for Kieran Wilson & Nash Sundire.

The effects were immediate. United finally found some traction in the game. Dennis hit the post, Youngy had multiple efforts cleared off the line and Morgan had a decent effort tipped over the bar.

The hosts utilised their subs in an attempt to disrupt United’s flow but you just had a feeling that it wouldn’t be United’s day.

Then came the sucker punch. On 82 minutes, a cross into the box left United standing like statues, more interested in waiting for the linesman to raise his flag than actually defend the cross. Tom Mehew beat his man and slotted the ball past Hamon for 1-0. United’s protests were silenced, as were the Yellow Army. United were behind for the 6^th game in a row. There was come back this time.

Torquay tried to press for an immediate equaliser but the damage was done. Chippenham saw out the 5 minutes of injury time & celebrated like they had won the league. Torquay still may come seasons end, but we’ve wasted a golden opportunity to stamp our mark.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 7: Made an important save just before half time but his kicking felt very wayward at times. Didn’t have much to do other than kick the ball away and pick the ball out of the net.

3. FOULSTON – 6.5: Did ok for the most part however I felt he decided not to defend the cross and instead plead for an offside for the only goal. Defend first, complain later!

16. PALMER – 7: Typical Ed Palmer. Not as slick as his introduction last week but did his job well.

5. DREYER – 7.5: Probably our best player in defence. Made a vital clearance off the line just before half time. Had one headed just wide & made some vital challenges.

26. THOMAS – 5: Started as RB, moved into a wider area 2^nd half, felt most of Chippenham’s good moments came from his side of the pitch.

18. WORTHINGTON – 5: Wasteful in possession first half, didn’t really stand out for me compared to Hornchurch.

6. SUNDIRE – 5: Struggled to get into the game from the off. Kept giving the ball away, felt he was trying a bit too much. Subbed at half time. Still getting match time after injury.

8. YOUNG – 7: Unlucky not to be on the score sheet. Posed more of a threat than Cody and will be frustrated not to have found the net.

24. LO-EVERTON – 5: Nearly gave away the first goal with a horrible misdirected pass right on half time. Did link up well on occasion in the 2^nd half but an inconsistent evening for our Sonny. Seemed to play a deeper role than recent weeks.

23. WILSON – 6.5: Worked hard and at least was willing to have a shot at goal in the first half. Will be disappointed to have been subbed at HT.

9. COOKE – 5.5: Just an average performance I felt from Cody. Our threats up top came from others. Struggled to make an impact. Was subbed late on for Jay.

Subs

7. DENNIS – 7: Immediately gave us more drive in the 2^nd half. Worked some good play. He must start for me against Maidenhead.

11. MORGAN – 6.5: This may be a tad harsh on the lad. Worked the ball into good areas, unlucky not to score with his effort denied by a fine save but loses his man for the goal which drops him down a tad.

20. HAYFIELD – N/A

27. JAY – N/A

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – SAM DREYER

It was another strong display from Sam. Saw a header go just over, was in the right place at the right time to deny Touray off the line. Will be frustrated as everyone else at how softly we conceded. One of our most consistent players at the moment. Has taken the captaincy in his stride.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

On a frustrating night, Jordan Young will have woken up wondering how he hasn’t added more goals to his already impressive tally. He put himself about, worked chances for himself and others. The introduction of Dennis & Morgan gave him more freedom to push forward into good areas. Multiple efforts off the line, chased down Henry and nearly got rewarded for his pressure.

TACTICS

Started in a 4-2-3-1, with the same 11 that started against Dover.

THE OPPOSITION

Chippenham did the basics very well. Yes, they disrupted the flow of the second half with what seemed like endless substitutions but they are fighting for their lives and kept plugging away and benefited from some very slack United defending. Did their homework and put their bodies quite literally on the line to keep themselves in the game.

Let’s not forget we had a week off as they fell to defeat at Dagenham a few days prior. I thought they would tire in the 2^nd half but they kept going and credit to them on what will be a huge win, only their 5^th of the season.

I still think they’ll be relegated come seasons end but I wish them all the best in their efforts to avoid the drop.

THE OFFICIALS

Not much to say about them to be honest. Not sure what the drop ball was for in the second half but let the game flow. I think 5 minutes of added time was kind to our hosts with the subs and stoppages, but I think even with 7 or 8 minutes added on, we weren’t scoring.

CONCLUSION

Let’s make no bones about it, this was a disappointing and unacceptable result in terms of our title challenge. United had a great opportunity to build more momentum at the top of the table and have seen them give Dorking & Hornchurch the chance to take control of the league.

We looked passive in the first half, scared to shoot at goal and only really started playing 2^nd half. We paid for not taking our chances and were undone by a poor defensive moment late on.

I didn’t boo at full time. I understand why many of you did, I’m sure more in frustration than anything else, but as the National League South has proven in recent years, there will be more twists and turns to come.

It’s important we stick together and learn from tonight. On another day, we score 3 or 4 and go home happy.

It’s also important to reflect on what has been a great run we have been on, with this being our first defeat since the 20^th December. We’ve brought ourselves into the title fight and are top on merit. Naturally we are disappointed in typical Torquay style to have left Wiltshire empty handed against a hard-working Chippenham Town side, who themselves are fighting for every point.

Wins for Eastbourne, Hampton & Slough at the bottom end of the table against play off chasing sides highlight that no team will make it easy for anyone battling at the top of the table.

Last night was disappointing, let’s put it right on Saturday. (as long as mother nature gives us some respite from the rain).