Match Preview: Basingstoke Town vs Winchester City
Jan 26, 2024 16:46:19 GMT
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Post by martinfrench on Jan 26, 2024 16:46:19 GMT
Match Preview: Southern League Premier South
Basingstoke Town vs Winchester City
When: Saturday 27th January 2024 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Winchester City (The Citizens), Avg 2023-24 Home Att
Following our second win in a row, deservedly beating Tiverton Town, although the three-two scoreline, did not reflect how well we played in the second forty-five minutes last Saturday. Tiverton deserved their early lead, but a neat pass from Simon Dunn to Liam Ferdinand, allowed Ferdi to slot the ball past the Tiverton keeper, and we went into the break level. Dan Brownlie’s halftime teamtalk turned the game, as we came out in with a more forward aggressive manner, and although it took us time to take the lead, the returning Ben Cook finding Bradley Wilson, who does what Bradley does, and slotted home. A second set-up by Dunn found Ferdinand once more and his slow-motion finish added our third. A very late reply by Tiverton, was not enough, and the three points were Basingstoke’s.
We played Winchester in the reverse fixture back on a Tuesday night in September, and for vast parts of the game we were outplayed and we went down two-one. Dan Rowe headed home for our goal.
Our Opponents
Winchester are managed by Craig Davis, who was player-Manager at Fleet Town, before moving to Winchester City in the 2016-17 season. His playing career included starting at Cardiff City, before stops at Bashley, Salisbury, Gosport & AFC Totton.
Following their Tuesday night home loss to lowly Didcot Town, they have now not won in the league since their five-goal trashing of Bracknell Town back in early December Admittedly, they have drawn three tough games in that time, but now three defeats on the bounce, has dented their hopes of the playoffs, as they sit in thirteenth place with a record of Pld 24 Won 8 Drawn 8 Lost 8, with 32pts. Their away record stands at 5 Wins, 4 Draws & 3 Losses. Their leading goalscorer is striker Tommy Wright who has seven league goals on the season. Wright, previously played at Sutton Utd, Salisbury and Havant. Conor Lynch had five league goals, but left for Hartley Wintney in December. Simba Mlambo, has four goals, and was signed from Craig Davis’ former club Fleet Town, having spent time at Alton Town before that. Olly Balmer, rejoined the club after spells at Dorchester Town and Bashley. Balmer has found the net three times.
In midfield, we start with Trevor Caborn, who is a fast, skilful winger who has three league goals this season. Caborn impressed at Combined Counties side Alton Town, and was snapped up at the start of this season. Jamie Barron, a former winner of a Schools National Cup medal, he is the club captain, and has four league goals. He’s had stints at Gosport Borough, Salisbury, Andover & Sholing. Daniel Jones is a young midfielder, in his second season in the first team, having come through the U23’s. Ollie Griggs, has returned for his second stint at the Citizens, following his time at Dorchester.
The defence contains Patrick Nolan, who has added three goals, and turned down offers to remain with the club. Fullback Josh McCormick has risen through the youth teams, and has added two league goals. Danny King is a left-sided defender and the longest serving player at the club currently. A former Chelsea & Southampton youth player, he is assistant captain at the club. In the centre is the experienced Jordan Rose, who has stints at numerous clubs such as Salisbury, Bashley, Weymouth, Bath City & Stockport County to name just a few. In goal will be Like Cairney, who made a big splash when he signed from Poole Town earlier this season.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
The deserved win last week, with a brace by Liam Ferdinand and Bradley Wilson’s fifteenth of the season gave us our first home win since November, but with a number of returning players, hope that more wins are on the horizon, with Ferdinand now reaching nine on the season. Dan Rowe, was unlucky not to add to his thirteen goals, as the Tiverton keeper made a Gordon Banks-esque style save. Ashleigh Artwell’s midweek appearance could mean more game-time tomorrow, especially if George Reid is still out through injury. Stefan Brown is also inline for a start but may have to make do with a seat on the bench.
Paul Hodges who can play both in a forward or attacking midfield role could be back to bolster an already strong midfield. Simon Dunn’s performance belied his age once again, setting up both goals for Ferdinand, and along with the quality of Michael Atkinson, sets up a strong midfield group. Add D’Andre Brown, who has been at his best in recent weeks, could still be the one to miss out, and a possibility of the bench. The versatile James Clark, gave another good account of himself at the back, but is an option in the middle as well. Then add Ben Cook who made a good return last Saturday, leaves Manager Dan Brownlie with a number of options and decisions for tomorrow.
The defence started poorly last week, but picked-up in the second-half last week, and will know it has a job on its hands against a strong Winchester side. With that will there be any changes to a line-up of Markus Johnson-Schuster on the right, and Massimo Giamattei on the left. With Billy Upton in the centre, it is hoped that Scott Armsworth, can recover from his knock and sit beside him in the middle. If not Nathan Smart or James Clark could be an option here. Callum Winchcombe is an option on the left, if Giamattei is pushed into a midfield role, that many fans feel best suits him. Simon Grant who made some important first-half saves last week will retain the keepers jersey tomorrow.
What is clear that we could have a host of options depending on how we set-up, and possibly one of the strongest benches we have had this season, in what is a big-game against Winchester, despite both clubs playing it down.
Back-to-back wins will certainly alleviate relegation worries for a while, but a revenge win for the loss earlier in the season, will add more weight to a late push up the table.
Match Preview by Martin French..
Basingstoke Town vs Winchester City
When: Saturday 27th January 2024 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Winchester City (The Citizens), Avg 2023-24 Home Att
Following our second win in a row, deservedly beating Tiverton Town, although the three-two scoreline, did not reflect how well we played in the second forty-five minutes last Saturday. Tiverton deserved their early lead, but a neat pass from Simon Dunn to Liam Ferdinand, allowed Ferdi to slot the ball past the Tiverton keeper, and we went into the break level. Dan Brownlie’s halftime teamtalk turned the game, as we came out in with a more forward aggressive manner, and although it took us time to take the lead, the returning Ben Cook finding Bradley Wilson, who does what Bradley does, and slotted home. A second set-up by Dunn found Ferdinand once more and his slow-motion finish added our third. A very late reply by Tiverton, was not enough, and the three points were Basingstoke’s.
We played Winchester in the reverse fixture back on a Tuesday night in September, and for vast parts of the game we were outplayed and we went down two-one. Dan Rowe headed home for our goal.
Our Opponents
Winchester are managed by Craig Davis, who was player-Manager at Fleet Town, before moving to Winchester City in the 2016-17 season. His playing career included starting at Cardiff City, before stops at Bashley, Salisbury, Gosport & AFC Totton.
Following their Tuesday night home loss to lowly Didcot Town, they have now not won in the league since their five-goal trashing of Bracknell Town back in early December Admittedly, they have drawn three tough games in that time, but now three defeats on the bounce, has dented their hopes of the playoffs, as they sit in thirteenth place with a record of Pld 24 Won 8 Drawn 8 Lost 8, with 32pts. Their away record stands at 5 Wins, 4 Draws & 3 Losses. Their leading goalscorer is striker Tommy Wright who has seven league goals on the season. Wright, previously played at Sutton Utd, Salisbury and Havant. Conor Lynch had five league goals, but left for Hartley Wintney in December. Simba Mlambo, has four goals, and was signed from Craig Davis’ former club Fleet Town, having spent time at Alton Town before that. Olly Balmer, rejoined the club after spells at Dorchester Town and Bashley. Balmer has found the net three times.
In midfield, we start with Trevor Caborn, who is a fast, skilful winger who has three league goals this season. Caborn impressed at Combined Counties side Alton Town, and was snapped up at the start of this season. Jamie Barron, a former winner of a Schools National Cup medal, he is the club captain, and has four league goals. He’s had stints at Gosport Borough, Salisbury, Andover & Sholing. Daniel Jones is a young midfielder, in his second season in the first team, having come through the U23’s. Ollie Griggs, has returned for his second stint at the Citizens, following his time at Dorchester.
The defence contains Patrick Nolan, who has added three goals, and turned down offers to remain with the club. Fullback Josh McCormick has risen through the youth teams, and has added two league goals. Danny King is a left-sided defender and the longest serving player at the club currently. A former Chelsea & Southampton youth player, he is assistant captain at the club. In the centre is the experienced Jordan Rose, who has stints at numerous clubs such as Salisbury, Bashley, Weymouth, Bath City & Stockport County to name just a few. In goal will be Like Cairney, who made a big splash when he signed from Poole Town earlier this season.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
The deserved win last week, with a brace by Liam Ferdinand and Bradley Wilson’s fifteenth of the season gave us our first home win since November, but with a number of returning players, hope that more wins are on the horizon, with Ferdinand now reaching nine on the season. Dan Rowe, was unlucky not to add to his thirteen goals, as the Tiverton keeper made a Gordon Banks-esque style save. Ashleigh Artwell’s midweek appearance could mean more game-time tomorrow, especially if George Reid is still out through injury. Stefan Brown is also inline for a start but may have to make do with a seat on the bench.
Paul Hodges who can play both in a forward or attacking midfield role could be back to bolster an already strong midfield. Simon Dunn’s performance belied his age once again, setting up both goals for Ferdinand, and along with the quality of Michael Atkinson, sets up a strong midfield group. Add D’Andre Brown, who has been at his best in recent weeks, could still be the one to miss out, and a possibility of the bench. The versatile James Clark, gave another good account of himself at the back, but is an option in the middle as well. Then add Ben Cook who made a good return last Saturday, leaves Manager Dan Brownlie with a number of options and decisions for tomorrow.
The defence started poorly last week, but picked-up in the second-half last week, and will know it has a job on its hands against a strong Winchester side. With that will there be any changes to a line-up of Markus Johnson-Schuster on the right, and Massimo Giamattei on the left. With Billy Upton in the centre, it is hoped that Scott Armsworth, can recover from his knock and sit beside him in the middle. If not Nathan Smart or James Clark could be an option here. Callum Winchcombe is an option on the left, if Giamattei is pushed into a midfield role, that many fans feel best suits him. Simon Grant who made some important first-half saves last week will retain the keepers jersey tomorrow.
What is clear that we could have a host of options depending on how we set-up, and possibly one of the strongest benches we have had this season, in what is a big-game against Winchester, despite both clubs playing it down.
Back-to-back wins will certainly alleviate relegation worries for a while, but a revenge win for the loss earlier in the season, will add more weight to a late push up the table.
Match Preview by Martin French..