Match Preview: Marlow vs Basingstoke Town Saturday 29th October 2022

Match Preview: Isthmian South Central Division
Marlow Vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 29th October 2022 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Alfred David Ground, Oak Tree Road, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 3ED
Marlow (Nickname – The Blues), Avg 2022-23 Home Att 180
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £5, Aged 13-18 £3, Aged 6 to 12 £1

Back on the road, back with another win, we took the game to Uxbridge and deservedly took a two-goal, before a late goal and a frantic last ten minutes which included an unbelievable seven minutes of added-time, it was before we left Uxbridge with all three points, which brings us to another equally challenging game as we head to second-placed Marlow tomorrow afternoon.

Last season’s match-ups started at Winklebury in December, as we lost by the only goal at Winklebury, which included the Bradley Wilson straight red card. The return fixture in April as those who were present, was more eventful off the pitch than the goal-less draw on the pitch.

Our Opponents
The Blues are managed by Mark Bartley, who in his playing career, played for Hayes, Slough Town, Burnham & Thame Utd, before starting his managerial career at Reading Town. He then joined Marlow winning promotion from the Hellenic League, and is now in his 10th season with the club.

Following last weekend’s last gasp 3-2 victory at home to Bedfont Sports, they currently sit in second place with an overall record of Played 10 Won 6 Drawn 2 Lost 2 and 20pts. The two losses were however, both at home, Sutton Common Rovers 1-2 and earlier this month a 1-0 loss at home to Chertsey Town.
The Marlow attack is led by leading goal-scorer Dawid Rogalski, who has five goals, and scored twice against us last season, whilst playing for Chalfont St Peter. The Blues have recently added ex-Ashford Town forward Alex McLeish-White, who was at Bracknell last season. They also have another ex-Stoke player Jordan Brown who plays in an attacking wideout role.

In midfield is Junaid Bell, who has four goals this season, and has been at the club since leaving the John Madejski academy back in 2018. Tristan Campbell is a left-sided midfielder who has arrived via Beaconsfield, Highmoor-Ibis and Binfield, missed most of season 20/21 through injury. Louis Rogers is a composed midfielder or defensive player who signed following his release from Watford FC.

In defence is long-term defender Chris Ovenden who is a right-sided defender or midfielder who was with Henley Town before joining and who has also played for Hartley Wintney. Experienced defender Alex Salmon is a tall and very quick defender who can play anywhere across the back four. Curtis Chapple, is a quick, hard tackling defender who likes to get forward and chips in with the odd important goal. George Ehui, is an attacking full-back who has previously played for Wycombe Wanderers, and Waltham Abbey amongst others.
In goal will be ex-Flackwell Heath and Basingstoke Town keeper Aaron Watkins who re-signed for the Blues this season.

Our Basingstoke Town Side
A workmanlike performance with a touch of fortune, against a decent Uxbridge side, gave us all three points, initially pushed us back into a playoff place, before the midweek matches pushed us down to sixth, as we travel into Berkshire to take on an inform Marlow side.

Our away record now sits at a healthy 3 wins, 1 draw and just the one loss at Westfield at the start of the season. Take away the four goals at Westfield, and we have scored nine goals and conceded just one goal in the other four road games.
With the belief that Bradley Wilson will return to the match-day squad, he should surely regain his striking partnership with Ezio Touray this Saturday. Ezio now has 11 goals, whilst Bradley has ten goals on the season. What this does to James Clark to Stefan Brown will depend on what formation we go with, George Reid, with five goals, is hitting the form all Stoke fans have been waiting for and will be the attacking wideout option for the team, whilst Shamar Moore and Marcio Neves will likely be an option off the bench. Don’t be surprised that Sam Argent earns a slot on the bench, as he appears recovered from injury.

Assuming the midfield is led by Simon Dunn, he will be joined by Michael Atkinson who has reaffirmed his midfield slot with some strong performances upon his recent return. D’Andre Brown who made a strong second-half performance, could also win a starting role this weekend, but if not is a strong candidate for extended playing time off the bench. Anton Rodgers will also be contention for a role whether it be a starting role or off the bench.

Unless their some unknown injuries of absences, then the defence will be the current back four line-up, of Scott Armsworth & Billy Upton as the centre-back pairing, Ben Upton as the attacking right-back slot and James Haworth returning to his left-back role. Again a couple of Nathan Smart, Dan Williamson, Callum Winchcombe and Aiden Lewis are candidates for possible bench slots.
Mark Scott who made some key second-half saves last weekend, will likely wear the goalkeeper gloves tomorrow afternoon.

The good news is that Manager Dan Brownlie has most of the playing squad back and fit, which leaves him with not only many options across all areas, but also the headache of keeping them all happy as well, as we look to keep the push for a top five slot.

With the weather expected to be dry and warm for the end of October and Marlow just 45 mins up the road, then there could be another strong contingent of Stoke fans to swell the crowd and bring the noise the players deserve.

Match Preview by Martin French..

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