Salisbury FC will face Chippenham Town in the league on Saturday for the first time in the new club’s history.
It’s the second-ever competitive meeting between the two sides in a senior competition, with a 2016 FA Trophy game at the Ray Mac the only one currently on the books. On that October afternoon, the Bluebirds won by three goals to two.
A Wiltshire derby that has only seen four league games between teams at the Ray Mac and Chippenham has seen Salisbury sides win 2, Chippenham with a single win and a draw, the most recent being a Salisbury City 4-0 win at the Ray Mac in the Zameretto Southern League.
Salisbury and Chippenham have had similar starts to the season, and only one point and two places separate them in the league table.
Both sides also enjoyed a league respite in the FA Cup, facing lower-league opposition. With 15 goals scored in the two ties, both clubs progressed to the Third Qualifying Round.
Town’s FA Cup win came at Nailsea & Tickenham of the Western League Premier Division (Step 5), where Harry Parsons bagged a hattrick on the way to a 6-1 victory.
Chippenham’s previous league fixture was a 0-0 draw at home against Tonbridge Angels, and before that, they lost 3-0 away at Torquay United.
So far, the two wins for Chippenham have come against teams in the relegation places, winning 2-0 away at Weymouth and beating Enfield Town 3-2 at Hardenhuish Park.
Salisbury also filled their boots with seven goals as they moved past AFC Stoneham of the Wessex League Premier (Step 5). Ronan Silva grabbed four goals on the way to the 7-1 away win.
The league had not been so fruitful. They lost their previous three league fixtures, including tricky games against Farnborough, Chesham, and Tonbridge, removing some of the gloss of the fine performances against Boreham Wood and others.
Salisbury will be boosted by Noah Coppin’s appearance on the bench away at Stoneham. Last season’s top scorer is looking to regain fitness and make his mark on the Vanarama National League South.
Tickets are available on the website until 1 pm on Saturday, after which supporters can pay by cash or card at the turnstile.
