Match Preview: Isthmian South Central Division
Basingstoke Town Vs Ashford Town
When: Saturday 17th September 2022 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Sports Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Ashford Town (Nickname – Tangerines), Avg 2022-23 Home Att 175
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16’s £3, Under 12’s £1 Match Programmes £2
Following what was to many fans a very disappointing performance against Cirencester, it means we are out of the two major cup competitions before the end of September.
A disappointing crowd saw us start slowly and poorly, as we slipped two goals behind, not helped by a referee who could not communicate effectively to his officials and the players. A superb shot (the first of three) by Ezio Touray saw us get back into the game. The sending off of Nathan Smart, did not help and we conceded another early goal at the start of the second, and although Ezio neatly finished to once again pull a goal back, the visitors added two more and could have added further goals too, before Ezio completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in added time.
This brings us to tomorrow’s game against Middlesex-based Ashford Town, who we did the double over last season, initially securing the 3-2 win on the road via a late Lloyd Snell finish, then back in February of this year a Stefan Brown goal gave us all three points at home.
Our Opponents
The Tangerines had a change of manager before the end of last season, as EX- Hartley boss Luke Tuffs left to takeover at fellow league opponents Leatherhead. His role was taken over by Paul McCarthy, who is relative newcomer to management. McCarthy a goalkeeper in his playing years had four seasons with the Tangerines before an even longer period at Uxbridge. He returned in the 20-21 season in a playing/coaching role.
They currently sit seven places above us on the edge of the playoff places in 6th, with a record of Pld 4 Won 2 Drawn 1 Lost 1 with 7 pts. They started the season with a 1-0 home loss to Binfield, before picking up a point in a 1-1 draw at Hanworth Villa. Two more home games gave them six points with wins against South Park (3-1) and Bedfont Sports (1-0).
In the cups they also lost at the FA Cup 1st Q Rnd at home to division opponents Westfield 4-2, whilst they progressed in the FA Trophy last Tuesday evening with a 3-1 win on the road at Southern League Division One Central Walthamstow.
As per last season, there is little information that I can find out about their playing squad, but their leading goal-scorer is ex-Bedfont Sport forward Lewis Flatman who has hit the season running with eight goals, five of those in the cup.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
With us out of the two cups, we must now concentrate on moving up the table, as we currently sit in 13th place with just one win (4-0) at Hanworth Villa, a (0-0) draw at home to Bedfont and two losses at Westfield (4-0) and (2-0) at home to Binfield. We currently have just 4 points.
More worryingly is our home form has shown no signs of improving from last season. We have struggled to get off to a good start and we seem to give up that opening goal which leaves us always having us to get back in the game, which allows the opponents to sit back and hit us on the counter-attack.
The bright spot is the amazing form of young Ezio Touray, who looks at home on a 3G surface. He currently has six goals, five of those in the last two cup competitions. We should therefore expect him to start, but alongside who. Sam Argent or James Clark. Whoever does not start is likely to be on the bench.
Is it time to give Marcio Neves another start, as when he has started he appears to put the opposition on the backfoot. George Reid who missed out on Tuesday, called also get a recall.
In midfield Simon Dunn is clearly being asked to do too much, partly due to some missing players and whilst Luis Le Paih has played his part, we seem to be overrun in this area at times.
In defence recent performances have not been good and many fans believe it’s the three centre-back, two wing back set-up. Will back Dan Williamson & James Haworth get a recall, which could move Ben Mason into a more midfield role.
Paul Strudley we assume will be the No.1, although rumours of another experienced keeper could be joining the squad.
Whatever Dan Brownlie’s line-up tomorrow, many fans will be looking for us to get back to winning ways, which won’t be easy against a team who has won their last two league games, and will eye to make it three.
Following two less than expected cup attendances, it will be interesting to see how many walk-up fans will make their way to Winklebury tomorrow afternoon.
Match Preview by Martin French..
English 
Polish 