Match Preview: Cinderford Town v Basingstoke Town Saturday 10th October 2020

Match Preview: Southern League Division One South  

Cinderford Town  v  Basingstoke Town    

When: Saturday 10th October 2020 Kick-off 3pm

Where: The Causeway, Edgehill Road, Cinderford, Glos. GL142QH

Cinderford (Nickname –  The Foresters), Average 2019-20 Home Attendance 161

Admission Prices: Adult £8 Concessions £6 Under 16’s £3 Under 5 Free

Basingstoke head back out on the road to the Forest of Dean mountainside, following another hard-earned win on Tuesday, to face Cinderford Town.

Last season,

Back in January the Basingstoke fans sat in the Cinderford clubhouse whilst the fog descended down the mountainside, ultimately the game being postponed.

The home game on a sweltering hot day in September saw three red cards as Cinderford left with all three points in 1-2 win. The controversy started around 25 mins when a mid-air, midfield challenge saw Dean Stow receive a straight red card, followed two minutes later by the injured player he tackled also being given a red card. Then just before halftime, Stoke were reduced to nine men when defender Reuben Collins made a last man challenge that saw him leave the field. We then fell behind with 20 minutes to go, then equalised through a solo Claudio Herbert finish, before a late winner by the Foresters.

Turning to Cinderford Town, managed by Stephen Cleal, they have started the season with a 2-1 home win against Moneyfields, then they won 2-3 on the road at Barnstaple Town, but have then taken two big losses, loses on the road at in-form and top of the table Cirencester 4-0. Then last Tuesday night they lost at home to Paulton Rovers 0-5. This leaves the Foresters in 11th place with 6 points.

In the FA Cup they beat little Hellenic Premier league Brimscombe and Thrupp 1-2 on the road, before then hosting Royal Wootton Bassett (also from the Hellenic Premier league), and after a 2-2 draw going out on penalties 5-6.

Last season Cinderford finished in a reputable 8th place an overall record of PLD 26 W 13 D 4 L 9 GF 59 GA 45 and 43Pts.

The leading goal-scorers both with 13 goals were 23 year-old striker James Harding and 30 year-old defender Andrew Lewis, but neither of them are in this year’s squad. Midfielder Craig Norman had 9 league goals, but again he is not part of the Cinderford set-up either.

This years forwards are Zachary Drew who has four of their 5 league goals, the other goal coming from Rhys Davies. Other strikers include ex-Forest Green player Lewis Spurrier, Will Gibbons and Yesh Lomety.

Again there is little information around the rest of their current squad.

Moving onto our unbeaten Basingstoke Town team, we travel back on the road for our fourth away game to the town of Cinderford, following our hard-earned, but well-deserved 2-1 win at home to a useful Sholing side. A brace by midfielder/winger George Reid, the second an absolute stunning finish was enough to get all three points, despite a late goal by the Boatmen.

Following that win, we move up one place to second behind Cirencester Town, who as above beat the Foresters 4-0 just over a week ago.

Our record now stands at PLD 4 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 0 GF 12 GA 7 with 10pts. Striker George Hallahan who missed Tuesday’s game has 4 league goals and is expected back this weekend. George Reid now has 3 league goals along with fellow midfielder/winger McCoy Palmer.

New signing defender Ben Jefford will serve his one game suspension for the incorrect red card at Barnstaple, but Adam Everiss will come straight back in at the left-back position.

Other starting questions concern around the midfield, as hopes amongst the Stoke fanbase, that experienced Simon Dunn, could return from injury and start his first league game of the season. If he does he will regain the Captains armband, from Lewis Hayden, who in many fans opinions has proved why he was obtained by Dan Brownlie from Didcot Town.

What is clear is that there is a lot of competition for the midfield roles in the team.

In defence unless things have changed, the rest of the backline will include James Smith who again has earned praise from many fans, whilst centre-backs Scott Armsworth and Daryl Wollers look to continue their solid partnership. Keeper, Julian Schwarzer despite his mishap at Barnstaple, has been superb between the sticks, and a welcome relief from last season.

Bradley Wilson who continues to impress week-to-week, and I’m sure would love to get his first league goal of the season, this Saturday. Dylan Ive continues to settle in the squad and will play some part off the bench.

Whoever starts this Saturday, will need to ensure we are on our game from the start, as Cinderford will look to get back on the winning track after recent performances.

One of the more friendlier clubs in our league, if you don’t fancy going direct to the clubhouse, the nearest pub is the Fern Ticket, which is about 500yds from the ground.

The weather is expected to be fog-free and dry, so let’s hope as many supporters make the trip to the game and get behind Dan and the Boys.

Match Preview by Martin French..

 

 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Change of subject – big day coming up Tue 13th – ground grading day at Winklies – are we ready?
    Assuming successful – what will happen next before Totton fixture? Anything special organised to commemorate the occasion?
    Tickets could be like rocking horse droppings for home games if success continues.
    Like a youngster on Christmas morning Gould!

  2. Due to the current 400 crowd restrictions, they are going to hold a test event on Tuesday 20th, when an U18 takes place. There will be other Community events on that evening.
    More details will be confirmed once things are put in place.

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