Match Preview: Isthmian League South Central Division
Basingstoke Town Vs Binfield
When: Monday 29th August 2022 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Sports Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Binfield (Nickname – The Moles), Average 2022-23 Home Att 155
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £6, Under 16’s £3, Under 12’s £1
Well my first match preview of the season has us hosting one of the more fancied for promotion in Binfield, who currently sit seven places above us in third.
Basingstoke however after back-to-back wins (one in the FA Cup), with ten goals and two clean sheets, will look to push further up the table in this expected tough battle tomorrow afternoon.
Last season we shared the points with us by the only goal a Scotty Armsworth header on the opening day of the season at Binfield. Binfield however got their revenge as they ran out comfortable 4-1 one winners at Winklebury towards the end of last season.
Our Opponents
The Moles are managed by Carl Withers who is back for another season in charge.
Their season started with ex-Stoke defender Joe Gater securing the one-nil victory at Ashford Town, before a decent 1-1 draw at home to another promotion hopeful Chertsey Town.
This was followed by a decent 3-0 win at Kidlington in the FA Cup, and the Moles now travel to nearby Combined Counties side Holyport, based in Maidenhead. In the first qualifying round. Then last Saturday a 4-0 thumping off new-boys Merstham, leaves them unbeaten and in third place, behind Chertsey and surprise leaders Northwood.
Their forward line is led by experienced Sean Moore, who is in his fourth year with club and has two goals on the season, whilst Harvey Harry another player from Thatcham Town is likely to start on the left wing and has one goal so far this season. James Beauchamp who was on loan last season is back there for another season for the Moles.
In midfield another ex-Stokie Kian Duncan who played during our relegation series, whilst another Ashford Town player Connor Holland and having played for Knaphill and Wokingham & Emmbrook. There is also Liam Tack who appears to be their penalty taker, having scored from the spot in their 4-0 win against Merstham.
In defence, apart from Joe Gater who joined them from Hartley Wintney and via Bracknell Town, there is Lewis Pegg who rejoined the Moles having been on loan last season from Slough Town. At left back it is likely to be Cameron Rowhart-Brown who recently joined them after spending time at both Thatcham Town and then Ashford Town last season. There is also former Bracknell and Hanwell Town defender Massimo Giamattei who may slot in at right back
In goal will no doubt be the reliable Chris Grace.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
As stated above, after two disappointing league games, this has been turned around with two dominant and emphatic wins, resulting in us progressing in the FA Cup and yesterday’s first league win of the season at Hanworth Villa. Ten unanswered goals also shows that the team is gelling upfront and the summer signings have been part of this. We now sit in 10th place and with the prospect of a big FA Cup match in six days-time at home to Southern Premier South league leaders Weston Super Mare to look forward too as well.
Our strikeforce currently led by Sam Argent & Bradley Wilson, have one and four goals respectively. With them is Stoke’s new favourite winger in Marcio Neves, whose two starts has him with three goals (all at Lymington), who creates havoc with his pace and skills. The other winger George Reid, who opened the scoring yesterday, is starting to return to his early last season form, and looks to be a major part of the attack. When you add James Clark, who joined from Bracknell, the likeable Ezio Touray, who opened his clubs account yesterday. then the team’s goal-scoring threat will frighten most teams defences. There’s also the young exciting Brody Peart to be added once he returns from injury. Plus there’s Stefan Brown to return at some point.
In midfield Simon Dunn returns to captain the team for another season, and is another fan favourite for those who knew him from the first time he was with Stoke. Academy star D’Andre Brown, has now earned his starting role in the side and only looks to improve as the season moves forward. The return of Michael Atkinson has solidified the holding midfield role, and his time at a couple of step 3 clubs, has improved his attacking side of the game. Ashleigh Artwell, who is an attacking midfielder, is currently sidelined through injury, but Luis Le Paih another young exciting midfielder looks to fight for a starting role as well.
In defence we have new signing Billy Upton, who to many has secured one of the starting roles centre-back roles, and with Scott Armsworth close to a full start, then it will be interesting to see how Manager Dan Brownlie deals with both Nathan Smart and at some point Shaun Dallimore. The right-back role currently held by another fan favourite ‘Willo’ Dan Williamson, has been strengthened by the arrival of young AFC Wimbledon loanee Ben Mason. The left-back role also appears stronger as incoming Callum Winchcombe currently has the No.3 shirt whilst James Haworth due back anytime will also be in consideration. Then add Aiden Lewis, who can play both back roles as well as midfield, the defensive squad looks much stronger than last season.
The return of Paul Strudley with the goal-keeper gloves, means more experience and reliability at the back.
What is clear, is that Dan and Aaron will have to keep all the players happy this season, but on the upside, give us numerous options off the bench.
Tomorrow’s game will be a real test for the new-look Stoke side against a team who will look to repeat their last visit back in April, and your support for Dan’s side will be much-needed.
Match Preview by Martin French..
English 
Polish 