Stuff the cold turkey sandwiches, who's for Chips?

Dulwich Hamlet take the High Road atop the Surrey Downs as the ZX Spectrum powered fixture computer at Isthmian League HQ pits them against John Hamsher’s Chipstead for the traditional Boxing Day hangover cure. With the festive season proving a bit of washout so far, Gavin Roses’ men will be itching to get their teeth into the Chips after losing their last four games to the weather as the wet and wild conditions of late replaced the deep freeze.

Similarly side-lined on Saturday the Chips, under the stewardship of the experienced Hamsher, have been in fine fettle of late of the new man in charge begins to build up of steam. Convincing wins on the road at Faversham and on the High Road against Ramsgate were followed by a battling draw away to a revived Tooting side that has seen unexpected investment since the appointment of former Hamlet man, Jamie Martin. Before the recent run, Chipstead had a six game stretch where they could only muster three draws and three defeats. Since then the team has bagged three wins in four to move up to tenth in Ryman League Division One South.

Chipstead’s form of late is a far cry from the early days of the season when, after a mixed start that saw two wins countered by two defeats in the opening league games and a decent 5-2 victory over Crowborough in the FA Cup, things started to fall apart in September. In the space of 11 days, the Chips crashed out of three cup competitions, all in home ties and lost their second manager of the season. In a hectic few weeks Three Bridges triumphed 3-0 in the League Cup, Maidstone United ran riot, winning 4-0 in an FA Cup 1st Qualfying Round tie before Waltham Forest’s single goal victory at the High Road ensured FA Trophy dreams were stillborn. In the wake of that reverse caretaker manager Mick Read, who had stepped into the breach after long-term supremo Mark Tompkins stunned supporters by quitting the Chips for a second time barely a week into the season, citing personal reasons.

New hot seat incumbent, Hamsher quickly endeared himself to the High Road faithful with back to back wins over Horsham and Three Bridges but the honeymoon was not to last, just one win in the next ten, albeit away to the formidable Hythe Town. The sea change seemed sparked by the arrival of a number of experienced new faces among them striker Joe Nwoko, who made the move from Sittingbourne in mid-November who has found the net thrice in the side’s recent good run. Also arriving at the High Road have been defender Dan Dean, striker Shaun Preddie and midfielder Andre Scarlett to the squad, 3 key players through the spine of the side.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at the High Road, Chipstead, Surrey CR5 3SF with directions available on the Chipstead website by clicking here.

Supporters are reminded that there are NO trains serving Chipstead Station today. Details of alternative travel options have been published in a separate article in the News section.

Chipstead Admission Prices 2012-13

• Adults - £9.00
• Concessions & 16-18 years olds - £5.00
• All Children free of charge

Admission charges will include a match day programme.