THIS weekend marks the start of a hectic run of fixtures that could see Chippenham pull away from trouble or become firmly rooted at the bottom of the table.

The Bluebirds start off a run of four league matches in two weeks with a trip to Chelmsford City this weekend.

The game will be a real six-pointer with Chelmsford lying one place above Chippenham in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

Steve White's side are only four points behind their rivals but they have played a game more. A win for Chippenham though would close the gap and put Chelmsford under increased pressure.

The two sides met at Hardenhuish Park in August this year and played out an eventful 0-0 draw.

The Bluebirds survived a number of near misses with their woodwork being struck no less than three times while Adie Mings committed a contender for miss of the season with the last kick of the game. Chippenham had already drawn their first two games of the season and went for the win in the dying stages by throwing bodies forward.

Wayne Thorne headed a Carl Allison free-kick against his own crossbar and the ball rebounded to safety.

In the second half Tom Gould's back header looped over Mark Hervin but Thorne's goal-line clearance hit the post and again bounced clear.

Matt Jones then tackled Mark Badman and smashed a 25-yard strike that cannoned off the underside of the bar.

Mings entered the fray in the dying minutes and should have won the game for Chippenham but he skied a shot from Griffin's cross high over the bar from a yard out.

One of Chelmsford's most influential players at both ends of the pitch this season has been goalkeeper Paul Nicholls. Nicholls signed for Chelmsford in August 2002 having starred for Havant & Waterlooville for two seasons. He dropped down into the non-league after being released by Chelsea.

As well as having busy time repelling opposing striker's efforts Nicholls has been making a name for himself this season as a penalty-taking expert.

He last stepped up to the spot two weekends ago to score in Chelmsford's 3-1 home defeat against leaders Weymouth.

The Bluebirds will follow up the Chelmsford trip with a home Boxing Day derby against Weston-Super-Mare. Chippenham are only six points behind their rivals who drew 0-0 away to Weymouth last weekend.

The two sides met in the reverse fixture back in August when the Bluebird's picked up their first win of the season with Scott Walker and Charlie Griffin scoring in a 2-1 victory.

Chippenham then have another derby clash on New Year's Day when they travel to Tiverton Town. The two sides met in August when a Walker goal was enough to earn his side a point in a 1-1 draw.

The matches continue to come thick and fast as title contenders Nuneaton Borough visit Hardenhuish Park on January 3. They will be looking for revenge after Chippenham put in a gritty display to hold them to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season.