Yate Town vs Chippenham Prediction & Betting Tips (18 September)

Yate Town host Chippenham Town under the lights at Lodge Road on Friday 18 September 2026 (19:45 kick-off) in an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie that promises real cup magic, with the Bluebells calling on their home support to roar them into the next round. Both clubs come into the 2026/27 campaign with renewed squads — Yate Town, managed by Darren Mullings, have bolstered their ranks with summer business including the loan signing of midfielder Akai Bonnick from Forest League side Forest Green Rovers, while Chippenham Town, coached by Gary Horgan, have been busy too, bringing in goalkeeper Jack Witchard on a youth loan from Bristol City, midfielder Harry Hogg also from Bristol City, centre-half Nelson Sanca, former Peterborough midfielder Josh Marcon, versatile Marley Rose and experienced defender Ben Richards-Everton.

Looking at the respective squads for the 2026/27 season, Yate Town will look to their attacking talent — including Marlon Jackson and David Sims-Burgess up front, with Rex Mannings providing creativity behind them — to break down a Chippenham defence anchored by the likes of Ben Richards-Everton. Chippenham's danger men remain their proven forwards Harry Parsons, Olaf Koszela and Welsh attacker Tom Owen-Evans, all of whom have the quality to hurt the hosts on the counter-attack, and with both teams still gelling after a summer of comings and goings, this tie has the look of an open, entertaining contest.

In the European (decimal) odds markets, bookmakers see Yate Town as slight favourites thanks to home advantage and their strong start to the season, with a home win priced shorter than the draw or an away victory — though Chippenham's pedigree at this level means the visitors cannot be written off. Our prediction: Yate Town 3 : 1 Chippenham Town. We expect the Bluebells' attacking firepower and the backing of a packed Lodge Road to prove decisive, with Yate scoring three times to book their place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Whatever happens on Friday night, this Gloucestershire-versus-Wiltshire derby is a classic FA Cup occasion — a Friday night fixture under floodlights, two community clubs battling for a place in the next round, and the dreams of a deep cup run alive for at least one of them. Fans are urged to get to Lodge Road early, with turnstiles expected to be busy well before the 19:45 kick-off, as Yate Town aim to make home advantage count and continue their promising 2026/27 season in st