Match Preview

Where: Hardenhuish Park, Bristol Road, SN14 6LR
When: 16th February 2019
K.O 3PM
Not many people expected that. A 5 nil victory over St Albans City on Saturday gave Hungerford a vital three points. Everything went to plan and the challenge for Ian Herring is to now sustain that level of performance till the end of the campaign. A rare clean sheet was also an added bonus. However the club are still in the relegation zone following Gloucester City’s 2-1 win at Slough on Tuesday night. With City, East Thurrock, and Weston still having games in hand the job is far from done making a win on Saturday even more important. Our hosts Chippenham have an outside chance of a playoff place and are targeting this as the game to get them back on track.

Form guide- Chippenham could only draw 1-1 with fellow mid table side Hemel Hempstead at home last Saturday following a 2-1 loss away to Welling United. Those two results came after a good 2-1 win over Truro City. Hungerford stunned St Albans 5-0 in a dominant victory which came after three straight defeats at the hands of Chelmsford City, Hemel Hempstead and Wealdstone.

Team news- The Bluebirds haven’t got defender Jon Beeden after he left the club to complete a move to Thatcham Town. Otherwise manager Mark Collier should have a full squad at his disposal. The only injury concern for the Crusaders is that of Richie Whittingham. Some other players have knocks after Saturday’s feisty affair that saw some nasty looking challenges on our players.

Star man-Nat Jarvis will be the main man up front on Saturday looking to rediscover his goalscoring touch for Chippenham. He scored in Decembers reverse fixture and has 14 goals this season but hasn’t scored in two games since his double over Truro. Lots of players could be my star man for the Crusaders but Darren Foxley stood out. The winger causes trouble for defenders down the sides and his free kicks almost always test the goalkeeper.

Head to head- Hungerford have a good record in this derby; they have never been on the losing end. Earlier this season they prevailed 2-1. They also won both meetings last season 2-1. In 2016/17 Chippenham did claim a 1-1 home draw but lost out 1-0 at Bulpit Lane.