Match Preview: Evo Stick South Premier Division South
(The Kings) Kings Langley v Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 1st December 2018 Kick-off 3.00pm
Where: The Sadikou Stadium, Hempstead Road, Kings Langley. WD4 8AL
Well we head upto Hertfordshire this Saturday, with a new Manager Martin Kuhl, and a four-game league losing streak in tow, to take on a Kings Langley team who are on a four-game winning run.
Let’s take a look at the Kings. After starting the season, they were sitting in the relegation places just a month ago, but coincidental with their improved run has been the signing of our very own ‘Big Dave’ or Alex Tokarczyk to be exact, who has started the last six games between the sticks. In their four match winning streak, they have knocked off Staines 0-2 and Farnborough 0-1 on the road, whilst beating Weymouth 2-1 and Tuesday’s opponent Hendon 3-1 at home. These results have them currently sitting in 12th place with 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses, from 15 games this season.
Despite the winning run, they still have a -5 goal difference, and their goals (22), mainly come from forward Mitchell Weiss with 8, and the experienced league veteran, 32-yearold Rene Howe, who joined from Kettering earlier this season, who has 3. Another worrying thing with the Kings run is defender Luke Wade-Slater, just 20, who joined them from Stevenage. He has played just five games, but has scored in each of the last four of those.
Firstly, welcome to Martin Kuhl and let’s hope he gets his Management Role off with a win this Saturday.
Last Saturday he would have seen the good side of the squad in it’s close and unlucky FA Trophy loss to Torquay Utd. However, it is my understanding that he did see Tuesday’s night league performance, so I think he maybe a little concerned with what he has to work with.
It is expected that Sam Smart will be back in the squad for Saturday, unless Sunderland have splashed the cash for him in the next 48hrs?
Other good news, is that Dan Collier is hoping to be fit for contention this Saturday.
Even better news is that forward Callum Bunting has started light training this week, but obviously will need a couple of weeks to regain match-fitness.
It is also hoped that those players carrying knocks into the Hartley game will be closer to 100% fitness, for this tough match-up on Saturday.
Just some of the many questions around Martin Kuhl’s first line-up will be? Do we give Mitchell Parker a start instead of striker Ben Wright? Who will play at the back and in what formation? Will Jim Orvis get a start?
In one of my last preview’s I asked about giving Akers a starting role to impress. Well that happened, and the impression he left, was not exactly what the Camrose faithful would want to see again.
It is vital for Saturday’s match that we come away with something from this match!
Match Preview by Martin French