Chippenham Town 4-2 Loss to Dagenham Thriller 2026

Key Points

• Chippenham Town suffered a 4-2 defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge in a thrilling National League encounter on Saturday.
• The Bluebirds took the lead through a stunning long-range strike by Harry Parsons after 15 minutes.
• Caine Bradbury scored a late consolation goal for Chippenham in stoppage time, assisted by academy graduate Will King.
• Reece Fleet of Chippenham was sent off with a red card just two minutes into the second half for a high boot, a decision criticised by manager Gary Horgan.
• Dagenham equalised through half-time substitute Aramide Oteh in the 54th minute, followed by Dylan Stephenson’s goal shortly after.
• Stephenson avoided a red card in the 64th minute after a challenge on Freddie Grant, as deemed by referee Jack Bloxham.
• Reggie Young sealed Dagenham’s victory with a goal from a wide position inside the penalty area in the 69th minute.
• Joe Haigh scored the final goal in stoppage time after rounding goalkeeper Will Henry, following an unnoticed push on Will King.
• Chippenham started brightly with an early chance for Anointed Chukwu, denied a shot on target, and Reece Fleet made a key defensive intervention.
• Will Henry made crucial saves in the first half, including a low free kick and a header tipped onto the crossbar.
• Tom Owen-Evans went close for Chippenham from inside the area during a half of exchanged chances.
• Despite a spirited display, Chippenham’s numerical disadvantage proved decisive after the break.

Chippenham, Wiltshire (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – Chippenham Town’s valiant efforts fell short in a pulsating 4-2 loss to Dagenham and Redbridge at Hardenhuish Park, leaving the Bluebirds frustrated despite a spirited performance marked by stunning goals from Harry Parsons and Caine Bradbury.​

The match, played on Saturday in the National League, saw Chippenham start with real intent but ultimately succumb to the numerical advantage enjoyed by The Daggers following an early second-half red card. Manager Gary Horgan criticised the sending-off decision, which shifted the momentum decisively. Dagenham capitalised with goals from Aramide Oteh, Dylan Stephenson, Reggie Young, and Joe Haigh, while Chippenham’s late fightback proved insufficient.​

What Led to Chippenham’s Early Promise?

Chippenham Town began the game brightly, showing attacking intent from the outset. An early chance fell to Anointed Chukwu inside the penalty area, though he was unable to direct his effort on target. At the other end, Reece Fleet produced an excellent defensive intervention to deny Dagenham, keeping the scores level in the opening stages.

Town continued to grow into the contest, and after 15 minutes, Harry Parsons collected the ball from distance before unleashing a superb strike that flew past the Dagenham goalkeeper, giving Chippenham a deserved 1-0 lead. As reported in the official match summary from Chippenham Town FC, this moment of real quality set the tone for a confident first half.​

Both sides exchanged chances as the half progressed. Tom Owen-Evans went close from inside the area for the Bluebirds, testing the Dagenham defence. Goalkeeper Will Henry was called upon to make several important saves, including thwarting a low free kick at the near post and tipping a close-range header onto the crossbar. Chippenham went into the break ahead, full of confidence with a lead to protect.

Why Did the Second Half Turn Pivotal for Dagenham?

The second half proved decisive just two minutes after the restart when Reece Fleet was shown a red card for a high boot. Chippenham manager Gary Horgan criticised the decision, as noted in post-match comments covered by local sports outlets. This numerical disadvantage allowed Dagenham to take control.

Dagenham equalised in the 54th minute through half-time substitute Aramide Oteh, levelling the score at 1-1. Dylan Stephenson then netted shortly after, capitalising on a fantastic passing move to put The Daggers 2-1 up in double quick time. According to the match report from Chippenham Town FC, Stephenson was fortunate on 64 minutes to avoid a red card after flying through Freddie Grant, with referee Jack Bloxham opting not to brandish a card.​

Reggie Young extended the lead to 3-1 in the 69th minute, scoring from a wide position inside the penalty area as Dagenham’s superiority continued to pay dividends. The visitors’ dominance was evident, turning the thriller into a contest where Chippenham struggled to respond effectively.​

How Did Chippenham Respond in the Closing Stages?

Despite the scoreline, Chippenham showed resilience late on. In stoppage time, a good move between academy graduates Will King and Caine Bradbury resulted in Bradbury slotting calmly into the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 3-2 and reigniting faint hopes of a comeback.

With just two minutes left of six minutes added time, The Bluebirds attempted to clear long. A push on King went unseen as a foul by referee Jack Bloxham, allowing Joe Haigh to round Will Henry with just the goalkeeper to beat, sealing a 4-2 victory for Dagenham and killing any dramatic comeback chances. This final moment, as detailed in the official report, encapsulated Chippenham’s frustrating afternoon.​

What Were the Key Managerial and Refereeing Talking Points?

Chippenham manager Gary Horgan voiced strong disapproval over Reece Fleet’s red card early in the second half, describing it as a pivotal and questionable call that altered the game’s dynamics. Horgan’s comments, echoed across fan forums and local coverage, highlighted the high boot incident as overly harshly punished.

Referee Jack Bloxham’s performance drew mixed reactions, particularly his decision not to send off Dylan Stephenson for a challenge on Freddie Grant in the 64th minute. While Dagenham fans praised the officiating for favouring fluid play, Chippenham supporters felt inconsistencies undermined their efforts. Neutral observers, as per post-match analyses, noted Bloxham’s leniency contrasted sharply with Fleet’s dismissal.​

Who Stood Out for Individual Performances?

Harry Parsons earned plaudits for his stunning opener, collecting from distance and striking superbly past the keeper. Caine Bradbury’s composure in slotting home late on showcased his finishing ability, linking well with Will King. For Dagenham, Aramide Oteh’s impact off the bench and Stephenson’s opportunistic goal were highlights, with Reggie Young and Joe Haigh providing crucial strikes.​

Will Henry’s first-half saves kept Chippenham ahead, while Reece Fleet’s defensive work pre-red card was vital. Freddie Grant’s resilience after Stephenson’s challenge and Tom Owen-Evans’ near-miss underscored the Bluebirds’ threat despite the loss.

What Does This Mean for Chippenham’s Season?

This defeat leaves Chippenham Town reflecting on a performance full of spirit but short on reward. The Bluebirds’ best efforts counted for little against a Dagenham side that exploited their advantage ruthlessly. With stunning goals from Parsons and Bradbury, the match was a thriller, yet the red card proved the turning point.

Manager Gary Horgan will demand better discipline moving forward, as the numerical deficit exposed vulnerabilities. Fans praised the team’s intent but lamented refereeing calls. As covered comprehensively in the Chippenham Town FC official report, this result serves as a learning curve in a competitive National League campaign.

How Did the Match Unfold Minute by Minute?

• 0-15 mins: Chippenham dominate early; Anointed Chukwu misses chance, Reece Fleet denies Dagenham.
• 15 mins: Harry Parsons scores stunner from distance (Chippenham 1-0).
• 15-45 mins: Exchanged chances; Tom Owen-Evans close, Will Henry saves free kick and header.
• 47 mins: Reece Fleet red card for high boot.
• 54 mins: Aramide Oteh equalises (1-1).
• ~56 mins: Dylan Stephenson scores after passing move (1-2).
• 64 mins: Stephenson escapes red for challenge on Freddie Grant.
• 69 mins: Reggie Young nets from wide area (1-3).
• 90+ mins: Caine Bradbury scores via Will King assist (2-3).
• 90+4 mins: Joe Haigh rounds Will Henry after push on King ignored (2-4).

This timeline, drawn from the detailed official account, captures the thriller’s ebb and flow.