Match Preview: Evo Stick South Premier Division South
Basingstoke Town v Taunton Town (The Peacocks)
When: Saturday 27th April 2019 Kick-off 3.00pm
Where: The Camrose Stadium, Western Way, Basingstoke. RG22 6EZ
The last match preview of the season, also means the last game of the season, the last game ever at the Camrose, but hopefully not the last game for Basingstoke in the Premier Division
We entertain the possible league Champions Taunton Town at the Camrose this Saturday, knowing we may have to win to remain in the league, when we should be focussing on celebrating our final ever game at the Camrose Ground.
It is also hoped that a number of old fans, ex-players etc, from long ago return to pay their last respects to the loveable old dump one final time.
Well to Taunton who for five months stood head and shoulders atop of the division, then went through a downturn that saw them caught and overtaken by current league leaders Weymouth., before they look destined to win the league, have also slipped up to give the Peacocks extra incentive this Saturday.
We played them in the reverse fixture back in September, and were more than worth a point on the day in a 0-0 result. On that day we had the better chances, but as has been our downfall on the road this season, failed to take those opportunities. This leads us to this Saturday’s crucial match for our survival.
Taunton, known as the Peacocks, came back from a 0-2 deficit against Merthyr Town, to win 3-2 with a last minute goal. Having won last Saturday at Hendon 2-3 and prior to that at home to Kings Langley 2-1, they now sit just one point behind Weymouth.
The Peacocks record now sits at PLD 41 WON 25 DRAWN 7 LOST 9 with 82pts. Whilst their away record is one of the better ones, there is hope, as it sits at 11 Wins 1 Draw but also with 8 losses. They have scored 87 goals on the season, but just 31 of those away from Viridor Stadium.
Their leading goal-scorer is Andrew ‘Rocky’ Neal who has 28 league goals on the season. He is ably supported by forwards Matthew Buse with 12 goals. Both players coming from Truro City. The Peacocks two other forwards Daniel Sullivan has 8 goals and Craig Veal has 7 goals.
Yet another ex-Truro player is midfielder Ryan Brett who has seven goals on the season.
We head into tomorrow’s game having played 3 games in just 7 days, including Wednesday’s heart-breaking Hants Cup final loss to Havant & Waterlooville 2-1 in a game that many fans believed we were robbed by poor referring decisions.
Prior to that, we lost yet again to a late, late goal at Farnborough on Bank Holiday Monday. Forty-eight hours prior to that we had pushed aside lowly Frome Town 4-1 at the Camrose. A brace from Sam Argent that day, backed up by goals from Yvan Jourdan and a penalty conversion from Sam Deadfield, gave us the believe we would be safe, we were wrong.
However, sitting in an unsafe 17th place our record now sits at Played 41 Won 14 Drawn 7 Lost 20 with 49pts.
Our home record stands at W 9 D 4 L 7 and we have scored 44 goals at home, at an average of just over two goals a game.
With Tom McGill in goal the defence will be selected from Dean Stow, Jack Wakely, Dan Bayliss, Shane Hollamby and Adam Everiss.
The midfield depending on what shape we go with will include Sam Deadfield, Harry Pearse, Sam Smart and or Michael Atkinson and Charlie Kennedy.
Up front we have our leading goal-scorer Sammie Argent if he passes a fitness test, but with both Yvan Jourdan and Ben Wright who both played well Wednesday, we have enough to put Taunton to the sword. There is also Reece Rusher who will no doubt be in the mix somewhere.
Many fans will be on their phones keeping an eye on those three other teams below us; Gosport’s visit to the Met Police, Hendon’s home game against Swindon Supermarine and Walton Casuals visit to Merthyr Town.
Whatever happens in those games, we need the backing of the crowd like we did at Eastleigh Wednesday night, without the smoke bombs please. We have the Town End for the whole game, so lets get down to the Camrose, buy a beer or two at The Community Beer Tent and let’s cheer the team one last time.
Updated odds please Ian, when you get a chance.
Match Preview by Martin French..
English 
Polish 