Match Preview: Isthmian League South Central Division
Chalfont St Peter Vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 23rd April 2022 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Mill Meadow, Gravel Hill, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks. SL9 9QX
Chalfont St Peter (Nickname – The Saints), Average 2021-22 Home Attendance 95
The hope that we would secure our playoff place last Bank Holiday Monday, did not materialise, as in many fans views we were outplayed in the key areas of the park, which brings us to this Saturday’s must-win game on the road at relegation battlers Chalfont St Peter.
In the reverse fixture back in September at Winklebury, it was one of those games that somehow we allowed to slip away from us, as we strolled into an early two-goal lead and despite them being reduced to ten-men for 75 minutes, they pulled level in the first-half and we were unable to break them down and our 100% record went as well as we dropped our first points of the season.
Our Opponents
With Staines Town officially relegated, plus Whyteleafe who pulled out of the league and two teams possibly facing relegation through ground grading rules, the Saints host us knowing that they could also be facing relegation as they host us this Saturday with them sitting in 17th place with an overall record of PLD 35 Won 6 Drawn 3 Lost 26 GF 31 GA 81 PTS 21. Obviously with such a poor record their home form has them with 4 wins and 1 draw from 17 matches.
With just 31 goals on the season, the lowest equally with Staines Town, they clearly fail to find the net that often, and they scored just three goals in their last six matches, these be solo efforts in their last three games. Their last home match was a close 1-0 victory against nine-man Northwood.
The Saints leading goal-scorers are David Rogalski (7 goals) and Shamal Edwards (6 goals), but both have departed for sunny climes, leaving their leading goal-scorer as young 20 year-old Josh Boorn who has three goals.
Their strike-force will be led by ex-Northwood striker Micah Jackson, who has three goals since joining the Saints. Alongside him is likely to be Isaac Monene, who has come through their U23 side.
In midfield, Boorn, will be joined by ex-Neots Town Panny Boxer and 19 year-old Isiah Noel-Williams who joined from Leverstock Green. Experienced defender Brandon Kalu, has been pushed into a midfielder role recently. They also have 27 year-old Stefan Powell.
Their defence will be led by Prince Kandolo & Sean McGuinness, whilst Elliot George will look to be on their two centre-backs.
In the past few weeks in goal has been Ben Parslow, who has been promoted after starring in their U18’s squad.
Your Basingstoke Town Side
Once more our home performance did not match our away outings, and although it took Binfield some time and possibly an offside decision to break the deadlock, Binfield had been pressing for some time. The early second-half goal and then a third just past the hour confirmed their superiority as we were unable to put any real pressure on their defence until that neat passing move and sublime finish by Conor Lynch. A couple of chances then went missing, before a fourth Binfield killed the game.
This brings us to our final league game of the season as we travel to lowly Chalfont St Peter, knowing that we must do as well or better than our only challengers Uxbridge. Still sitting in fifth, our record with one game to go sits at PLD 35 Won 20 Drawn 7 Lost 8 GF 63 GA 49 Pts 67
Conor Lynch who picked up his Golden Boot and Home Player of the season awards at the Binfield match will lead the attack alongside Stefan Brown who received that ridiculous red card, knowing his season will end whether we make the playoffs or not after this Saturday’s match. Brody Peart’s substitution once again brought some life into the attack last week, and is likely to play some part in this weekend’s game.
With it understood that George Reid played his last game of the season at Westfield, after picking up yet another injury, this leaves our two main wingers McKoy Palmer & Lloyd Snell, but after last Saturday, only one should start with the option to bring the other on if needed. I would give the nod to Palmer, just because of his experience
Simon Dunn should start, I’ll say that again your team captain Simon Dunn should start. After that it is anyone’s guess who could or should play., but giving how we allowed Binfield to break through our midfield, I would suggest Anton Rodgers sitting in a holding role, might be the way to go. The final slot could go to either Ben Cook or D’Andre Brown. With Marcio Magalhaes-Nevez back in training last night, he must be a candidate for some playing time.
Well the defence after controlling the Westfield forwards, were unable to do the same against an eventful and enthusiastic Binfield side, but then the 3G does not help how we play at the back.
With centre-back Daryl Wollers now fully back from training, he could win one of the starting roles, but would that be in place of Nathan Smart or Rob Sheridan is the question. The right-back role should go to Dan Williamson, who was a full participant in training, whilst James Haworth should be in the left back role. Aiden Lewis is the perfect cover for either roles.
Paul Strudley will for the final league game be our starting keeper between the sticks.
What we do know is that with a win, we will be heading to Chertsey on the Wednesday evening.
Chalfont St Peter have nothing to play for as they cannot improve their position in the league but potentially will go to a relegation playoff match, but other teams such as Binfield had nothing to play for either, so I expect them to attack us from the start. But we have the experience, the better players in most positions to win this game, it is just about applying Dan’s game-plan on the day.
Chalfont’s last home programme stated that they expect a sizeable turnout from our fans, and it will be interesting to see how many of us make the journey to this small village in Buckinghamshire.
Match Preview by Martin French.
English 
Polish 