Match Preview: Isthmian South Central Division
Binfield Vs Basingstoke Town (WEATHER PERMITTING)
When: Friday 23rd December 2022 Kick-off 7.45pm
Where: Hill Farm Lane, Binfield, Berkshire, RG42 5NR
Binfield (Nickname – The Moles), Avg 2022-23 Home Att 148
Admission Prices: Adults £8, Concessions £5 U16’s £1
We head to Binfield in our third match-up of the season this festive Friday night and the last league game of 2022, with an urgent need to stamp a clear message that we can beat a tough opponent, that will challenge for promotion.
Our previous two meetings, were both two-nil losses at Winklebury, starting with the league defeat on the August Bank Holiday, followed by a Tuesday night Velocity Cup loss in October.
Our Opponents
The Moles are one of many clubs who have had a managerial change this season, when Carl Withers & Jamie McClurg upped sticks and went down the road to local big boys Bracknell Town. Former Hayes & Yeading & Farnborough boss Garry Haylock took over at the end of September and his resume includes taking Hayes to the National League, as well as being a player in Ireland and under ex-Liverpool legend Ronnie Whelan for Greek side Panionios, wo reached the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners Cup.
Binfield sit in seventh with a record of Pld 15 Won 8 Drawn 3 Lost 4 with 27pts. Their away record stands at 3 Wins, 2 Draws & 3 Losses.
With last Saturday’s home game postponed due to the weather, their last fixture was a one-one draw at Chipstead.
Their leading goal-scorer is Johnny Efedje, an attacking player who has eight goals, five in the league, whilst experienced Sean Moore, who is in his fourth year with club, has seven goals (three in the league). Taylor Morgan, is an experienced striker who has four goals on the season and previously played for Ascot Utd, and Scottish clubs Falkirk & Airdrie. Brad Pagliaroli is another new striker to the club and has five goals on the season
In midfield they have Harvey Harry, who plays on the wing and joined from Thatcham Town whilst Massimo Giamattei who has four league goals, will likely patrol the left and joined from Hanwell Town , after spending time at Bracknell Town previously. Experienced Harrison Bayley joined the club at the end of November after spending time at Bracknell, Thatcham, Hayes & Yeading, as well as Hartley Wintney, Marlow and Hungerford Town. Jonny Denton is another regular player who joined from Ascot Utd. Add young Brandon Curtis to this area, who is a former Reading FC Academy player. Connor Holland, is regarded as an energetic midfielder, who has played at Ashford Town, Wokingham, Knaphill and Frimley Green.
In defence they have centre-half Liam Gavin, who has added five goals on the season, and has been at the club four years. With him will be Lewis Pegg, who has previously played for Slough Town & Bedfont Sports. There is also ex-Stoke player Joe Gater, but he has not played for a month. Kai Hobbs, is a young fullback who joined the Moles from Camberley’s youth team. They also have ex-Stoke player Will Shaw, who could start at left back.
In goal will be Chris Grace, who has been the Moles keeper for the past couple of season, and has previously played at Hendon & Ascot Utd.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
A week on from our latest loss to a serious playoff challenger, we travel to another potential playoff team Binfield, knowing that we have already suffered two defeats to them already this season.
Our one-nil loss against Walton & Hersham, was our sixth league game that we failed to find the net, the last being at home to league leaders Northwood back in early October, and a game where we created very few real chances on goal. Yes we could have taken the lead against Walton, before they scored the only game of the game, but for all our possession, we were unable to break down a well-designed and executed defensive plan to stop our key players.
Bradley Wilson still leads the league’s goal-scoring chart and a lot of expectations will be upon him to create chances for our other forwards.
With still no clarification of young Ezio Touray’s situation, although he is now named in Watford’s U21 squad player list, it leaves Sam Argent & James Clark to take the chances when they come along.
Winger George Reid with eight goals on the season, needs to take on the Binfield defence, and not allow them to settle.
Brody Peart, will likely earn a slot on the bench alongwith Marcio Neves, whilst the injury-status of Stefan Brown is still unknown.
Simon Dunn will lead the side for the last time in 2022, and will again be ably supported by Michael Atkinson, who has shown a more attacking side in the last couple of weeks. Ben Cook will slide into the other midfield role.
McKoy Palmer, who missed last weeks game against Walton, could make a return, alongwith D’Andre Brown and Anton Rodgers. All could win slots on the bench, and be important second-half replacements if required.
Lewis Hayden although progressing is still a number of weeks away from his much awaited return by club and fans alike.
In defence it would be good to see Ben Mason, who has missed the last couple of games return for this game, whilst James Haworth may get the nod at the left back slot instead of Callum Winchcombe. Centre-backs Nathan Smart & Billy Upton will continue their partnership in the middle, whilst Scott Armsworth is still absent through injury. Markus Johnson-Schuster if he does not start at the right. Could get moved into a right wing-back role. Aiden Lewis may see him starting on the bench.
Mark Scott who has been replaced by Paul Strudley, over the past few games may be fit enough to return for this important encounter, if not Struds will continue between the Sticks.
We have now failed to score against four of the top six league sides in our league, and if to be taken as serious playoff contenders tonight’s game is one of those chances to put a marker down to say that we have a big important game that we can find a way to win.
Hope to see as many of you there tonight, to support the Stoke, on our last league game of 2022
Match Preview by Martin French..
English 
Polish 