Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-2010 Issue 3 Upon Further Review
One of the main reasons for these weekly articles is to take a second look and reflect on our weekend game, without the emotion of fans immediate thoughts just after the game and Saturday’s draw at AFC Totton, falls into that category.
A thumping in the Hants Snr Cup was swiftly replaced with action by the board as a change of direction at the Manger position took place, with Dan Brownlie taking over temporary charge of the first team for Saturday’s match against AFC Totton, with the understanding that his first line-up would be hampered by defensive suspensions.
Yes, it was another hardworking performance and Chris Rackley finally showed the promise between the sticks that had been missing earlier in the season, but yet again we failed to score. We didn’t create enough clear-cut chances, and this is now 4 out of 7 league games where we have failed to find the back of the net.
On a good note was the desire to get the ball downfield a lot quicker yesterday, let’s hope this continues.
A number of fans also continue to comment about the lack of substitutions we make each week. Riccardo Andrady always seems to be the first change and many wonder why he isn’t given a starting role?
Finally, I think our fan support at games has been amazing despite our league position, especially taking in the obvious issues of playing our home games 15 miles away.
With a number of teams in our league playing in the FA Cup, including next week’s opponents North Leigh who got taken apart by National League South Oxford City 7-0, there was only four other games played Saturday.
Of those games second-placed Thatcham Town missed the opportunity to move into top place as they had to come from behind on the road to earn a point at lowly Melksham Town 1-1.
Meanwhile Paulton Rovers consolidated their 3rd place with a 1-3 win on the road at Larkhall Athletic. Ben Bament started the scoring for Paulton with his 7th goal of the season and Rovers added two more early in the second-half before Larkhall got a late consolation goal.
Fourth-placed Mangotsfield (our next league opponents), came unstuck at Slimbridge, despite taking a first minute lead, Slimbridge took the lead just 17 minutes later through forward Solomon Wanjau-Smith’s 5th goal of the season. This goal also included a lengthy delay as the Field’s keeper was carried off injured and was replaced by an outfield player. The Swans then went on to add two further goals in a 4-1 victory.
This leaves the top of the table looking like this;
The Top Five in Our League
TEAM | PLD | WON | DRAWN | LOST | PTS |
Frome Town | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 |
Thatcham Town | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 17 |
Paulton Rovers | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
Mangotsfield United | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
Evesham Utd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
Well despite our first away point of the season, we not only sit at the bottom of the table, but also two points adrift of Willand Rovers, who picked up their first win of the season in a 1-0 home victory against fellow relegation battlers Barnstaple Town, with midfielder Dean Stamp scoring the only goal of the game on the stroke of halftime.
We now remain the only team in the league without a win!!
The Bottom Five in our League
TEAM | PLD | WON | DRAWN | LOST | PTS |
Barnstaple Town | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Moneyfields | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Bristol Manor Farm | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Willand Rovers | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
Basingstoke Town | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
Basingstoke Town League Goal Scorers Chart (NO Change since last week)
Ben Wright 2
Claudio Herbert 2
Reece Rusher 1
Adam Everiss 1
This coming weekend’s games affecting us at the bottom of the table are, whilst we are just one of four teams playing in the FA Trophy extra preliminary round.
Paulton Rovers vs Barnstaple Town
Willand Rovers vs Sholing Fc
Look forward to this Mon morning read.
Cheers Jim, I’ve always done something that is a little bit more informational with these post.