Around the League in 48Hrs – 6th February 2019
So following Saturday’s deserved win at second-placed Weymouth, we entertained Salisbury at the Camrose last night and on a very heavy pitch and with the heavy showers on and off throughout the game, we lost 2 – 0.
Did the game change when we lost defender Jack Wakely so early on through injury? I think the game would definitely have been a lot closer, but Salisbury were a good team going forward and possibly one of the better teams at the back we have played, especially considering the surface we played on last night.
After creating a lot of chances against Weymouth, we created very few clear chances on goal last night.
There were very few standout performances by our team. This is not to say that the team did not put a shift in last night, because they certainly did, but simply thought the conditions and against a good team, probably the best complete team in the league, then it was always going to be a tough night.
However, I thought that while Rob Gerrard was pushed up field for the last 20 minutes of the first half, he showed a decent touch on the ball and most attacks in that period came or started with him in that more forward role. The fact that he had to return to his normal role once Charlie Kennedy went off injured didn’t help the Basingstoke cause either.
Also Zidane Akers who had missed the previous couple of games, showed signs of livening the game up for the last 20 minutes. He still shows signs of a lack of decision making when he has the ball, but he chased the ball down and he showed he has the skill to beat most defenders and got two shots on target in the time in he was on the field of play.
I also re-looked at some of my notes and what I am now aware of is that we had 3 players booked Kennedy, Deadfield & Pearse, whilst at least four possibly five Salisbury players were booked. However, the difference was that three of the booked Salisbury’s players were for extremely late tackles that were intent on taking out the standing foot of the player they were tackling. These were simply dangerous tackles and possibly deserved straight red cards, as there was no attempt in pulling out of these tackles, despite knowing how reckless these tackles could be. Fortunately, no serious injuries occurred on the evening.
It is hoped that Jack Wakely will be fit for Saturday’s important game against Staines Town, but I expect Kennedy will miss at least this weekend’s game and possibly more.
With last night’s game against Salisbury done and dusted, we have now finally played every team in the league at least once.
At this present time only one team has completed the double over us and that is Merthyr Town, but I’m sure there maybe more when we reach the end of April.
The Manny Watch
No update on whether if, or not Manny will return to the Camrose.
Games in our league this week
So with our game covered, let’s look who else played on Tuesday night. Firstly, the big expected match up of 4th placed Met Police’s visit to 6th placed Kings Langley was postponed on the Monday.
This just left one game in our league as Walton Casuals travelled to the south coast to take on Poole Town. The Casuals took the lead with their reliable goal-scorer James Ewington adding to his season’s tally on 23 mins, but Poole struck back just 3 minutes later with Bournemouth loanee Jake Scrimshaw equaliser. The Dolphins then took the lead just after halftime when Luke Roberts slotted home from close range. Then wrapped it up around the hour mark with Samuel House making it 3-1.
With the other teams idle in the league this pushed Poole Town up into 6th place on the edge of the playoff places.
Hampshire Snr Cup Result and Update
So the third of the four Qtr-Finals was due to be held last night as AFC Bournemouth visited the small village team of Sholing. However, this game fell foul of the weekend weather and will now need to be re-arranged.
This leaves the final Qtr-Final, Bournemouth vs Southampton, which is due to be played on 19th February 2019.
Unless otherwise corrected then the draw will take place on the following Saturday evening (23rd Feb).
Evo-Stick South Premier Division South – Goal Scoring Chart
The current table looks like this,
Brandon Goodship – Weymouth 21
Conor McDonagh – Swindon Supermarine 21
Tobias Holmes – Wimborne Town 18
Dylan Kearney – Walton Casuals 18
Jack Mazzone – Met Police 18
Ricardo German – Hendon 17
Max Blackmore – Met Police 17
Andrew Neal – Taunton Town 17
Attendances In Our League
Ok since last week with no home game, we now sit in 8th place for the average at home attendances of 379 per home game. This week’s opponents Weymouth sit top of this table with an average of 887 per home game.
Games To Keep An Eye On This Weekend
With us just outside the relegation places, but within three points of that bottom three, here are the more important games that can affect our position.
Dorchester Town vs Harrow Borough
Gosport Borough vs Frome Town
Tiverton Town Vs Chesham Utd
English 
Polish 