It’s the National League South league leaders against the team currently propping up the table, as the Reds search for a sixth successive league victory.

The team hailing from Woodside Road have a two point gap between them and second place Hornchurch, and also have a game in hand over their London-based counterparts.

For all of Chippenham’s problems this season, they are one of few teams to have beaten the league leaders this season. Gary Horgan’s side prevailed in the reverse fixture on Bank Holiday Monday in August, in one of only three wins this term.

Jake Evans’ free-kick was the difference in the Wiltshire summer sun, as the away side had two goals disallowed.

Despite the weather warnings and the icy conditions, the match is expected to go ahead without disruption.

TEAM NEWS

Left-sided defenders Sam Beard and George Cox are both nearing returns to competitive action, although they aren’t available for selection tomorrow afternoon.

Vice-captain Beard has been nursing a knee injury since the end of October, while Cox has struggled for fitness since his arrival. Fortunately, both players have been spotted taking part in the warm-ups over the last two games, with their conditions improving.

Worthing loanee Anointed Chukwu won’t be available for the visitors this weekend, as he is unable to play against his parent club.

THE OPPOSITION

Chippenham find themselves nine points adrift of safety as they enter the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

However, fortunes may be turning slightly at Hardenhuish Park with two positive results over the last week. A winner in the dying embers of their Boxing Day tussle against Bath City from Worthing loanee Anointed Chukwu earned them only their third victory of the season, before sharing the points with AFC Totton during midweek.

The statistics don’t point in the Bluebirds’ favour.  They have the worst offensive record in the league with 22 goals in 24 games, averaging at less than one goal per game. At the end other end of the pitch, only Eastbourne Borough and Farnborough have conceded more than their 42 goals this campaign.

A steep upturn in form is required for Chippenham to avoid the drop and extend their stay in the sixth tier to a ninth year.

THE GAFFER

Gary Horgan has been trusted with saving the team from demotion, having excelled with limited resources since taking over permanently in 2022.

After Horgan’s predecessor Mike Cook mutually parted ways with the Club, 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.

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.

Horgan is well-known in the West Country region, as he represented the likes of Bath City, Swindon Supermarine and Hungerford Town as a defender.

ONE TO WATCH

After missing the corresponding home fixture against the Rebels earlier on in the season through injury, Harry Parsons will be hoping to torment the Worthing backline this weekend.

After recording 16 goal contributions for Chippenham last term, including nine goals – the versatile forward’s consistency has been jeopardised through his lack of availability this season.

Despite his injury woes, the Englishman has still scored four times in just nine league appearances. Two goals on the opening day draw against Dorking Wanderers saw him start the campaign in style, but his momentum was halted after sustaining a problem which required him to leave the field on a stretcher.

Parsons loves playing against Sussex sides and has added his name to the scoresheet against Eastbourne Borough and Horsham so far.

The 23-year-old broke through the academy system at boyhood club Swindon Town and played a handful of games in League Two for the Robins.

A move to Maidenhead United followed, where he was shipped out on loan to Weymouth and Banbury.

In the summer of 2024, Parsons opted to move to Hardenhuish Park and join Chippenham and is now considered one of their most dangerous players.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Worthing FC | W15 D3 L5 GD: +32 | Pos: 1st

League Form: WWWWW

MD19: Worthing 5-0 Hornchurch | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Toby Byron and Nathan Odokonyero

MD20: Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Worthing | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD21: Worthing 5-0 Farnborough | Scorers: Brad Dolaghan x2, Jack Spong, Toby Byron & Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD22: Eastbourne Borough 0-3 Worthing | Scorers: Jack Spong, Brad Dolaghan, Razzaq Coleman De-Graft

MD23: Worthing 3-2 Dorking Wanderers | Scorers: Teddy Jenks x2 and Brad Dolaghan

Chippenham Town | W3 D7 L14 GD: -20 | Pos: 24th

League Form: DWLLL

MD20: Maidenhead United 3-0 Chippenham Town

MD21: Chippenham Town 1-3 Horsham | Scorers: Harry Parsons

MD22: Weston-super-Mare 1-0 Chippenham Town

MD23: Chippenham Town 3-2 Bath City | Scorers: Canice Carroll, Harry Parsons & Anointed Chukwu

MD24: AFC Totton 1-1 Chippenham Town | Scorer: Luke Haines

VIEW FROM THE CAMP – Adam Hinshelwood

“Ultimately we’ve got to focus on ourselves and not let any distractions come our way. In this league, you can’t afford to have a moment where you switch off.”

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate for tomorrow’s match, although supporters are advised to purchase their ticket in advance via the Fanbase app.

• Adults: £18
• Concession: £14
• Under-18: £8
• Under-12: £5
• Under-6: Free entry

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HOW TO FOLLOW

If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the game via live updates from the club’s official X account.

You can also listen to live commentary via the club’s official commentary service.