Match Preview: Isthmian League South Central Division
Basingstoke Town v Chipstead
When: Saturday 2nd October 2021 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Sports Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Chipstead (Nickname – The Chips), Average 2021-22 Home Attendance 73
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £7 Aged 13-17 £3 Aged 12 and Under £1
Well after being knocked out of back-to-back cup competition, we return to League football and another home tie, as this time we welcome Chipstead to Winklebury.
Our Opponents
Surrey-based Chipstead are managed by Ex-Stoke player Rob Kember, who has a wealth of playing experience, who took over in April 2019.
They currently sit in 7th place, two places below Basingstoke, with a league record of Played 5 Won 2 Drawn 1 Loss 2 GF 13 GA 9 PTS 7.
They started their league campaign with 2-1 away loss to Bedfont Sports, followed by a 5-1 and 4-2 victories over Chalfont St Peter & South Park respectively. A 2-2 home draw against Binfield was then followed by 2-1 loss on the road at Tooting & Mitcham.
In the FA Cup they exited one round earlier than us after beating lowly Faversham Town 3-0 at home, but then lost two Phoenix Sports 2-1 on the road, when we were beating Bridgwater 4-1 that day.
They have also taken part in the FA Trophy a round earlier than us beating our pre-season opponents Hashtag Utd 4-1 on the road. They face Aylesbury Utd on the road whilst we travel to Melksham Town.
On their expected line-up first and foremost we will need to keep an eye on goal-scoring star striker Tom Collins who has 9 goals on the season, 7 in the league including four goals against Chalfont. Collins, 28 has been a regular goalscorer in this division, who featured for Hanwell & Marlow previously.
He will be supported by 30-year-old Sam Bell who has a wealth of experience and one goal on the season.
In midfield they have experienced 31 year-old Kieran Lavery who has added 3 goals on the season. He will be backed by 30 year-old Dan Moody a versatile midfielder and young 17 year-old Tom Smith, grandson of Crystal Palace’s former manager, Alan Smith
In defence they have 37-year-old Chris Boulter who captains the side, whilst in goal they Matt Kerbey (19) who was a member of Sutton United’s squad which won promotion to League 2 in May 2021.
What is clear is they have a much more older and experienced team compared to us.
Your Basingstoke Town
Ignoring our two cup losses, our last league performance was against Chalfont St Peter, and despite starting well, it was a performance we would rather forget, and hopefully not repeat again, so let’s try and focus on this important match-up against the Chips.
With our last league game three weeks ago and other teams having played twice or three times, we have slipped down to fifth place in the league, and still unbeaten, we sit with our record at PLD 4 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 0 GF 8 GA 5 Points 10
Striker Conor Lynch continues to score goals at a steady pace and has 8 on the season. His finishing has been exceptional in front of goal. He is supported by Bradley Wilson and McKoy Palmer who got his first goals of the season, and two beauties they were against Wimborne Town.
Injuries to Stefan Brown and George Reid have slowed the line-up options for the team, whilst this has given D’Andre Brown and Lloyd Snell, the chance to show their continued progress alongside Captain Simon Dunn. Ben Cook still very much a fan favourite helps glue the midfield together, but as we all know needs to add more goals to his armoury.
In defence, it is unlikely that Scott Armsworth will be back fit for this game, leaving Shaun Dallimore and Daryl Wollers to hold the centre-back pairing and the two-backs slots will come from Dan Williamson, Aiden Lewis & James Haworth.
Many think Aiden can be more influential in a midfield role if needed. Adam Everiss will also look to earn a starting point somewhere in the team.
Breaking news we have also signed 28 year-old Anton Rodgers (son of Leicester Manager Brendan Rodgers), who will likely start tomorrow.
In goal, experienced Paul Strudley has shown why Dan put faith in re-signing him for this season, as he expertly commands the back four and has made numerous important penalty saves already this season.
With both teams looking to get back to winning ways in the league and to keep up with the big boys Bracknell & Marlow, this will be a massively important game, which is likely to be played in heavy rain and strong winds this Saturday afternoon.
The team needs your support, so get down to Winklebury tomorrow if you can and get behind your town’s team.
Match Preview by Martin French..
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