Match Preview: Isthmian League South Central Division
Basingstoke Town Vs Staines Town
When: Saturday 29th January 2022 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Staines Town (Nickname – The Swans), Average 2021-22 Home Attendance 135
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £7 Aged 13-17 £3 Aged 12 & Under £1
Well if our defence was a bus, last week’s match at Guernsey was literally a Sunday service, as another disappointing performance saw us drop another two points in our effort to keep up with the playoff pack in a 4-4 draw.
Tomorrow we host Staines Town, who sit bottom of the league in what is regarded as a must win, if we are to have any honest expectations of reaching the playoffs. In the reverse fixture, at the end of November, we scraped a 1-0 victory at Wheatsheaf Park via a second-half Nathan Smart finish.
Our Opponents
The Swans come to Winklebury, under the control of their latest Manager, 38 year-old Chico Ramos, as he took the reins at the beginning of December 2021. This following the resignation of Jack Porter, who only lasted six weeks in the job before resigning, and thus leaves Chico who previously coached and managed at Walthamstow FC and, most recently, Arlesey Town, knowing that they have a major fight on their hands to stave off relegation.
Sitting equal bottom with Guernsey, their goal-difference is a shocking -44, which was not helped by a recent 12-0 thumping at home to Hanwell Town. However they only lost one-nil at Ashford Town on Tuesday night, and since his arrival the Swans have won at Chipstead 1-0 and 2-0 at home to Tooting & Mitcham Utd.
To confirm their record sits at PLD 21 Won 4 Drawn 1 Lost 16 GF 21 GA 65 Pts 13.
As with all teams who have had managerial changes, they have had a number of squad changes, starting with midfielder Sheridan Campbell (20) who has six goals for Staines, is dual-registered with Abbey Rangers, and has not appeared for the club for over a month.
Forward David Pitt (30), has one league and one cup goal this season. Pitt, spent most of his early career playing in countries such as Cyprus, Albania & Roumania, before returning to England in 2015-16, and has since played for numerous clubs including Bedfont & Chalfont St Peter.
In midfield they have 22 year-old Reece Cave, who has taken over the penalty duties at the club, and now has four goals, two via the spot. Reece joined the club this season, having previously played for clubs such as Tooting & Mitcham and Bedfont Sports.
In defence they have 19 year-old Connor McShane who has previously played at Cobham, Westfield and joined the Swans last month from CB Hounslow Utd. Alongside him is ex-Staines defender Luis Fernandes (34), who joined the club in 2011, before playing for various clubs including Marlow, before returning to Staines Town and is the Swans captain for this season.
They also have Derek Feyi, a giant defender who joined Staines under Chico Ramos in early December 2021 having played under him during his season and a half at Arlesey Town.
In goal it will likely be 21 year-old Joe Ringer who has previously played for clubs such as Northwood, Southall & Enfield Town, although Matty Bonnett played in their midweek fixture at Ashford Town.
Your Basingstoke Town Side
For those who travelled to the expensive island of Guernsey, they will probably have felt short-changed as our offense hit the jackpot, whilst our defence seemed to have holes in its pockets for most of the second-half. Despite leading 3-1 at halftime and then later 4-2 in the second-half our lack of strength in the air or dealing with pressure, saw us commit basic errors, that cost us dearly.
Prior to tomorrow’s game, we sit in sixth place with our record now at PLD 20 Won 11 Drawn 5 Lost 4 GF 42 GA 34 Pts 38. Our last six games give us a record of 1 win, 3 draws and 2 losses, with 12 goals scored and 14, YES 14 conceded, which is hardly playoff pace!
The good side is the increasingly improved partnership of Conor Lynch & Stefan Brown, who not only combined for all four goals at Guernsey, looked an effective threat throughout the game. Conor Lynch, using an old football term, ‘Ran his socks off’ yet once more, now has an impressive 18 goals on the season, 11 in the league and will spearhead any hopes of a push into the top five spots. Stefan Brown, had his best game so far, with clinical finishing, yes one from the penalty spot, now has five goals, three from the penalty spot, plus a number of assists over the past few games. Bradley Wilson who looked lively on both wings, will be disappointed that he did not add to his tally of ten goals on the season. I am sure he is licking his lips at a chance of playing a team that has conceded 65 goals in 21 games.
Neither of our established wingers McKoy Palmer or George Reid started last Sunday, and only McKoy came off the bench to take part in the game, and he brought some life into the last 20 minutes of the game, not only setting-up that missed sitter by Wilson, he also missed his chance to win the game late-on as well. Despite this, he is currently the manager’s go to winger as George Reid, is clearly battling to regain his early season from.
Captain Simon Dunn, who picked up a knock, expects to be fit for this game, after speaking to him at last night’s training. Ben Cook had his best game of the season, dominated the midfield in the first-half, whilst also being instrumental in two of the goals, as well the creator of many other attacks on the day. Guernsey, because of Ben’s influence, changed their tactics in the second-half, which mean’t them by-passing the midfield with long balls.
What is clear in my view is the ongoing loss of D’Andre Brown, as we have missed his full-game hustling, bustling style of play, which we lacked in the last third of the game. D’Andre trained last night, and could make the bench tomorrow afternoon. Lloyd Snell is still likely two weeks away from selection.
Well following on from conceding three goals at home to Northwood, we conceded a further four goals in Guernsey, and with little sign of new blood joining the ranks, we will go with the same group as last Sunday, but possibly with Daryl Wollers playing from the start. What could change is the return of Aiden Lewis, in one of the defensive back roles. Also Jon Boardman, may get a recall, if the Manager feels other changes are needed. The loss of Scott Armsworth, and the untimely injury of Shaun Dallimore at Tadley does not help the situation
Paul Strudley, who in my view was not at fault for the latest batch of goals conceded, will start in goal, and possibly his long goal-kicking which caught Guernsey out twice last week, maybe worth employing once again tomorrow.
We have to stay positive moving forwards into this and Tuesday’s trip to South Park, and looking at Staines Town, with just 21 league goals on the season, thus an average of one-a-game, the Swans are unlikely to put too much pressure on us, hopefully!
With that in mind we should really be putting this game to bed early and picking up our first win in 2022.
Match Preview by Martin French..
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