Our final February fixture sees us head to The Thornbury Surfacing Stadium for a battle with The Bluebirds. 

 

The reverse fixture was a memorable day for more than one reason; a 3-0 victory was overshadowed by one last hoorah for Alan Devonshire. On the verge of 45 Liam Dulson broke and drilled into the far corner to break the deadlock before dedicating his celebration to young MUFC Junior, Mason. It was two on the hour mark, Owen Cochrane delivering a trademark cross from the right for Josh Umerah to rise highest and head into the corner. As we entered added time and the serenading of Dev ramped up a notch, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson was tripped with an open goal at his mercy; Canice Carroll was sent off and Sam Barratt stepped up to the spot. Barratt cooly slotted in and tipped his newly claimed hat to his gaffer – the perfect way to round off the afternoon. 

 

There are a fair few players who we have already come across this campaign who have played for both. The first of which is current Bluebirds number nine Harry Parsons. The Swindon Town youth product spent two loan spells at Chippenham Town during his time with The Robins. Spending two months there in both 2021 and 2022 making 23 appearances across both spells scoring 10 times too. Following his release from Swindon he joined Maidenhead for the 2023/24 season; he played 15 times in black and white scoring once. In June 2024 he rejoined Chippenham on a permanent basis and has stayed there since. 

Another who we have already faced this season is Freddie Grant, although he was wearing the colours of Farnborough. Coming through the ranks at Oxford United, the Berkshire-born defender would enjoy spells locally before joining United for the 2019/20 season. Unfortunately, his spell at York Road was marred by injuries which limited him to just three appearances. After spending a few more years locally, Grant joined Chippenham in the summer of 2023 and has remained there ever since. In the three seasons so far, he has racked up 75 appearances but is still yet to score. 

 

One we haven’t seen this season is central midfielder Josh Smile. The joyfully named Josh rose through the ranks at Fulham’s Academy before leaving for Town in 2017. Two years, 60 appearances and five goals saw a successful stint come to an end as Smile swapped Bluebirds for Magpies. He went on to spend three seasons with United, playing 58 times and scoring four – all of which came in his first season. I'm sure many will remember fondly *that* strike against Wrexham. 

 

It has been a tricky year for Chippenham who currently sit bottom of the National League South. Currently six points deep in the drop zone, The Bluebirds have had results that would inspire levels of belief including recent 1-0 wins over Torquay and Maidstone United. It was big fixture midweek, but Town were on the wrong end of a late goal and a 2-1 scoreline as Farnborough pulled themselves out of the bottom four. The aforementioned Parsons currently sits top of the scoring charts and was the scorer of the only goal in that victory over Maidstone, a goal that took his tally to six this campaign. At the other end, Will Henry has been one of the busiest keepers in the league but still ranks highly on performance ratings despite only managing four clean sheets. 

 

United come into the game off the back of two strong home results in the past seven days. Firstly, defeating fellow playoff hopefuls Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 on Saturday afternoon. Josh Umerah scored after 10 minutes against his former club, before Liam Dulson secured the three points late on. Midweek saw United claw back a 2-1 win against Salisbury. Tommy Willard opened the scoring for the visitors early on, but his goal was cancelled out by a Manny Onariase header as we entered added time in the first half. The turnaround was complete with seven minutes to go as Cameron Eubank and Liam Dulson played a long-distance one-two as both turned on the afterburners sprinting through before Liam squared for Cam to tap home. 

 

Maidenhead United 3-0 Chippenham Town (2025) 

Maidenhead United 1-0 Chippenham Town (2018) 

Chippenham Town 1-1 Maidenhead United (2018) 

Chippenham Town 2-1 Maidenhead United (2007) 

Maidenhead United 0-0 Chippenham Town (2006) 

 

Travelling by train is a fairly straightforward journey, travel from Maidenhead into Reading. From Reading you are then able to board a 45 minute train direct to Chippenham Station. The station is about a 15-minute, 0.7 mile walk from the ground 

 

An also fairly simple trip down the M4 as you will need to follow it from Maidenhead for 67 miles or about an hour into Wiltshire. Exit M4 and take the A350 signposted Chippenham / Poole for approx three miles. At first roundabout Malmesbury Road take second exit signposted Trowbridge / Bath. At the third roundabout Bumpers Farm take the exit signposted Town Centre / Calne A4. At the Folly mini-roundabout go straight ahead signposted A4 / Town Centre. The football ground is approx 600 yards on the left immediately before a pedestrian crossing controlled by lights. 

 

We expect this fixture WILL NOT BE segregated. Tickets are available both online and on-the-day using cash or card. 

 

 

Adult: £17 

Concession (OAP/Student/Military): £13  

Juniors (16-17): £6 

Child (5-15): £4