TEAM NEWS
Club captain Joel Colbran is back available for selection after completing his three-match suspension on the weekend. The flying full-back was shown a straight red card on the opening day of the season against Bath City.
Vice-captain Sam Beard will be assessed after being forced off against Enfield with an injury, while the remainder of the squad’s fitness will be monitored having endured a congested schedule.
FORM
Chippenham Town | W0 D1 L3 | GD: -3 | Pos: 23rd
Form: LLLD
MD1: Chippenham 2-2 Dorking Wanderers | Scorers: Harry Parsons x2
MD2: Ebbsfleet United 1-0 Chippenham
MD3: Chippenham 1-2 Weston-super-Mare | Scorer: Caine Bradbury
MD4: Chelmsford City 2-1 Chippenham | Scorer: Henry Sady
Worthing FC | W1 D2 L1 | GD: 0 | Pos: 13th
Form: DLWD
MD1: Worthing 1-1 Bath City | Scorer: Brad Dolaghan
MD2: Horsham 3-4 Worthing | Scorers: Temi Babalola, Sam Beard, Jack Spong (Pen), Sam Packham
MD3: Farnborough 1-0 Worthing
MD4: Worthing 0-0 Enfield Town
THE OPPOSITION
Chippenham have struggled in the opening stages of the 2025/26 campaign, only picking up one point from their first four games.
A 2-2 draw with Dorking Wanderers on the opening day preceded three successive losses at the hands of Ebbsfleet United, Weston-super-Mare and Chelmsford City.
Their poor start to the season has resulted in the Bluebirds languishing in 23rd position, with only Eastbourne collecting fewer points thus far.
Chippenham have established themselves as a mainstay in the sixth tier since their promotion in the 2016/17 season, consistently finishing around mid-table in the National League South. Last season, Gary Horgan’s side ended the campaign in 14th position and comfortably clear of relegation.
THE GAFFER
Gary Horgan has occupied the dugout at Hardenhuish Park for over three years now and has ensured that their status as a Step Two Club has remained intact during his tenure.
The 48-year-old initially joined the Bluebirds’ backroom staff at the start of the 2017/18 season following a second spell as a player.
After Horgan’s predecessor Mike Cook mutually parted ways with the Club in April 2022, the current Chippenham boss took the reigns on a temporary basis, winning four of the last six league games which helped his side break into the top seven.
Despite falling short in the play-offs, the hierarchy at Chippenham were convinced by his performances and decided to appoint him permanently.
In his three full seasons in charge, the Englishman has guided his side to 13th, 12th and 14th in the league
In his playing days, Horgan was a defender who appeared for several other teams in the West Country region – including Bath City, Swindon Supermarine and Hungerford Town.
ONE TO WATCH
With opening day hero and last season’s top goal scorer Harry Parsons a doubt for tomorrow’s match, skipper Luke Haines is arguably the Town’s player to watch.
The midfielder is adored by tomorrow’s opposition as he picked up the Manager’s and Players’ Player of the Season award last term for his all-encompassing displays in the 2024/25 campaign.
Haines is in his third spell with the Bluebirds having spent two loan spells at Hardenhuish Park whilst on the books at boyhood club Swindon Town.
A period with National League North outfit Hereford followed after his release from the League Two side before making the switch to Chippenham in 2023.
The centre-back, who is equally adept in defensive midfield, was made captain by Gary Horgan at the tender age of 24. He made 40 league appearances last season, chipping in with three goals from the back.
LAST MEETING
Worthing 4-1 Chippenham Town, National League South, Saturday 12th April 2025
The strike partnership of Muhammadu Faal and Temi Babalola were unstoppable in the last encounter, as two goals each from the front two resulted in a 4-1 dismantling of Chippenham back in April.
It was Babalola that opened the scoring, brushing aside his man to sweep the ball into the near post after 17 minutes.
The Reds were pegged back later in the half by virtue of a Matt McClure penalty, but Faal produced a moment of magic in first-half stoppage-time to reclaim the lead, cutting in from the left to unleash an unstoppable shot that flew off both posts before nestling into the far corner.
Faal was at it again early in the second period, reacting quickest to head home a loose ball in the box before Babalola completed the scoring just before the hour mark with another assured finish.
TICKETS
This match will not be segregated. Tickets are priced as follows:
Adults – £17.00
Over 65s – £13.00
16-17 – £6.00
5-15 – £4.00
U4 – FREE
Access the website via this link – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chippenham-town-v-worthing-fc-tickets-1574462843749
HOW TO FOLLOW
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official Twitter account.
You can also listen to live commentary via the club’s official commentary service.
