Rebels match called off due to COVID cases

Slough Town saw their game at Chippenham Town on Tuesday evening postponed due to COVID-19 cases in the hosts’ camp.

Joint manager Neil Baker confirmed yesterday (Wednesday) that the decision to call the game off had ‘nothing to do with Slough’, despite goalkeeping coach Trent Phillips coming into contact with someone who has since tested positive for the virus.

He is now self-isolating and has tested negative.

The Rebels raised this possible COVID related issue with the league but would have been allowed to fulfil the fixture.

The Rebels tweeted on Tuesday afternoon the game had been postponed due to ‘potential COVID cases at both clubs’

Earlier this week Chippenham reported two positive COVID-19 test results and a number of their players have also displayed ‘COVID-like symptoms’.

The Wiltshire-based club had been monitoring the situation but, in the prevailing circumstances and with agreement from the National League and Slough

Town, the game was postponed. Unless there are any further developments, Slough’s game at Billericay on Saturday is set to go ahead. The Rebels will be hoping to bounce back after losing 3-2 to Maidstone United at Arbour Park last weekend.

Baker, who has wished the Chippenham players well on Twitter, said: “It was nothing to do with us. We had a possible COVID case with Trent (Phillips), but he just wouldn’t have gone to the game.

“Someone he’d been in contact with had tested positive. He’s got to self isolate but has tested negative anyway.

“We’d already spoken to the league and they were happy for us to continue. It was nothing to do with us, it was to do with Chippenham.”

After Billericay, the Rebels are due to host second placed Hungerford on Tuesday.