Around the League in 48Hrs – 12th December 2018
Last week’s report started with our win at Hartley Wintney in the Hampshire Snr Cup, so this week’s report starts with our League Challenge Cup win at home to Walton Casuals.
In a game that neither team really dominated, and both teams missed chances.
Manager Martin Kuhl had to ring the changes at the back with injuries to Harry Philby who started on the bench, whilst Shane Hollamby failed to make the squad. With loanee Drew Matthews ineligible to play, it mean’t Charlie Kennedy started alongside Dan Bayliss.
Dan Collier returned to the starting line-up in Kennedy’s midfield role, whilst Sam Argent started on the bench.
Basingstoke after being gifted a first half goal by the Stags keeper, were pegged back by a poor refereeing decision by many (but not all), in the crowd as he allowed play to continue whilst Rob Gerrard laid injured and motionless on the floor.
Stoke after then seeing off a couple of other Walton chances then came back into the game, as Sam Smart hit the inside of the post and then created the chance that led to Sam Argent’s winner on 75 mins, as he was first on the loose ball and smashed into the roof of the net.
On the night, Kennedy filled in well in the back four, but his strength and power is needed more in midfield.
As I stated in my Match Report, the future is Harry Philby if he can build his strength and bulk.
Deadfield & Collier both put in needed shifts last night and Wright did well for the 45mins he was on the park.
Sam Smart looked dangerous on the ball everytime he had it, but there were times we never simply got him into the game enough. The rest of the team played ok and McAdden made 3 saves that I can note that kept us in the game.
The win puts us in the 3rd round and we will have the pleasure of Hartley Wintney at home again at some point in the New Year.
There were two other games in the League Cup played on Tuesday night.
Firstly, there was the 1st round match, as Royston Town beat Hitchin Town 4-3, scoring the winner on 84mins after squandering an earlier 3-1 lead. Then in the 3rd round Wimborne Town were dumped out at home to Bideford 1-2 who sit 21 places below them in Division One South.
Evo Stick – Premier Division South Matches
Whilst we were playing in the cup, 8 teams in our division had matches under the Tuesday night light’s. One of the shocks of the night was 2nd placed Weymouth’s loss at home to Gosport Borough. Old man Craig McAlister started the scoring before Weymouth equalised just before halftime. However, two second-half goals for Borough lifted them into 13th place.
Hendon lost back-to-back games and dropped down to 5th place, after losing at home to the Met Police who jumped 3 places into 4th place and continue on their rise up the table. Ricardo German scored his 16th goal of the season but the Met Police never looked in danger according to match reports as they ran out 1-3 winners. This gives the ‘Old Bill’ an impressive 3 game winning streak and 6 wins out of their last 8 matches.
Merthyr fell out of the playoff places after losing at home to the improving Poole Town 0-2. Two second-half goals by the Dolphins moved them into 8th place with games in hand over the teams above.
Lastly Dorchester Town proved that you can get out of the relegation battle, as they won their third match in a row on the road and their fourth in five overall matches, with a 1-6 demolition on the road at bottom placed Staines Town. That is an impressive 10 goals in their last two games in the league. The win moved Dorchester up into 15th place one place above Basingstoke who slipped to 16th in the league.
Their were no fixtures in our league on Wednesday Night.
Hampshire Cup
Not sure when the draw for the Qtr Finals is yet, but it isn’t likely to be held until the new year.
However, Hampshire FA are pretty awful in announcing when the draw will take place.
Leading League Goals Scorers
Ricardo German’s goal last night gives him 16 for the season and level with Weymouth’s Brandon Goodship who hit the back of the net 3 times last Saturday.
The table currently stands as follows;
Ricardo German – Hendon 16
Brandon Goodship – Weymouth 16
Ian Traylor – Merthyr 11
Ryan Penney – Gosport Borough 11
Jack Mazzone – Met Police 11
Andrew Neal – Taunton Town 11
Finally Saturday will see Basingstoke head into Wiltshire, as we take on new boys Swindon Supermarine in the league, with the hopes that Manager Martin Kuhl can go for four wins in four matches since arriving at the Camrose.
Not sure if I have replied to these before, but think they are something a bit different, so keep doing them please Martin..
Hi Larry, Thanks I just thought I would try and put out a different style of news. We get nothing from the Club site, unlike other club sites. They don’t appreciate the fans or how they support the club. Thanks Martin..