Bath City are preparing to host Chippenham Town this Saturday in what promises to be a crucial A4 Derby, with kick-off set for 3pm. The Romans have endured a difficult spell, going winless in their last four matches, including three consecutive defeats. Their struggles were compounded on Saturday when they exited the FA Cup in the First Qualifying Round for the first time since 1979. This also marks the first occasion since the 1994-1995 seasons that they have been knocked out at their opening hurdle in back-to-back years.
In contrast, Chippenham Town arrive in good form. Their recent 3-1 victory over Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round replay on Tuesday extended their unbeaten run to three games and secured back-to-back away wins following a previously challenging travelling record.
The two sides last met on Good Friday at Twerton Park’s Cannon Clarke Stadium. At that time, Bath City were struggling, having gone 14 league matches without a win and facing the threat of relegation. Meanwhile, Chippenham were enjoying a modest revival, sitting six points adrift of safety with five games remaining.
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During that encounter, Chippenham started strongly but were unable to break down an inspired performance from Bath City’s keeper, Charlie Binns. The visitors' attempts to secure valuable points left them vulnerable on the counter-attack, and in added time, former Chippenham player Owen Windsor found space on the left before setting up Scott Wilson, who calmly finished to give Bath City a memorable win and earn manager Scott Bartlett his first success in charge.
Bartlett expressed his relief and praised the supporters, “I’m really pleased because it’s been a tough time for everybody. The fans were outstanding, as they have been in the other two games I’ve been in charge of. I was really pleased for Scotty. Him and Donovan looked a really good pairing after he came off the bench.”
Wilson, recently returned from a loan spell at Weston-super-Mare, scored his fourth goal since returning, which was also his fifth in the A4 Derby. Reflecting on the goal, he said, “It’s an amazing feeling. These derby days always bring up moments like that. I was a bit frustrated not to start but I know what it takes to win these games. When I got the opportunity, I was pleased I could take it. We wanted to do it for the fans today. We know this season hasn’t been good enough but we wanted to give them that moment.”
Unfortunately for both clubs, the season concluded with relegations despite their efforts.
Chippenham have retained manager Gary Horgan and assistant Matt Coupe, both of whom have ties to both clubs. However, the playing squad has undergone considerable changes, with only five players from last season remaining. The team has shifted to a hybrid model emphasising younger, less experienced players.
During the previous season, after a 1-0 victory at Twerton Park on Easter Monday 2025-secured by current Bath City forward Harry Parsons-Chippenham suffered an eight-game away losing streak in the National League South. Their sole away league win came in March against Dover.
This season, their away form has had a rough start with defeats to Uxbridge (0-2) and Berkhamsted (0-4), before a 2-1 victory over Malvern on Bank Holiday Monday signalled a possible turnaround. Notably, Luke Haines was sent off during that game, marking Chippenham’s third red card in as many away league matches this season. Currently, the Bluebirds sit 16th in the Southern Premier South with seven points, just one point and five places behind Bath City.
Saturday’s game marks the ninth consecutive season the two clubs have met in league competition. Since Chippenham’s promotion to National League South in 2017, they reached the play-offs in 2022 but fell to Ebbsfleet United in the semi-finals. This weekend will be the first Southern Premier meeting between the clubs since April 2007, when Martin Paul scored a late winner to move Bath City closer to the league title.
Several players have represented both clubs, including Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle, Owen Windsor, Harrison Minturn, Harry Parsons, and Callum Wood, all former Chippenham players now playing for Bath City. Conversely, Marley Rose and Ethan Lindo have appeared for Chippenham after brief stints with Bath City.
Assistant manager Matt Coupe himself scored in the A4 Derby for Bath City during a 1-1 draw in March 2005, while Chippenham manager Gary Horgan had a short spell at Twerton Park in 2002, where he played alongside Andy Minturn, father of Bath City’s Harrison Minturn.
With several local derbies ahead-including an upcoming away match against Taunton Town-Bath City are especially keen to secure bragging rights following a lacklustre defeat to nearby rivals Frome Town on Bank Holiday Monday. After their disappointing FA Cup exit, the Romans’ supporters will be eager for a positive result against one of their biggest local rivals in the division.
Fans can expect a compelling and fiercely contested encounter as Bath City look to halt their recent struggles and Chippenham aim to maintain their upward momentum.