Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-20 Season – Issue 8

Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-2010 Issue 8 Upon Further Review

Well the unbeaten run had to come to an end at some point, and it came in atrocious weather conditions at Melksham in the FA Trophy, which will unfortunately cost us an important extra source of income.

It was not the best game as the rain and strong wind affected our passing for large parts of the game, and Melksham with a new centre-back defended a lot better this week. The effort was clearly there, and if Andrady had taken that early half-chance, it could have been a different game, but we also had a couple of half-chances at the end to get us a replay, but they were not taken either.

We were still missing a few players through injury (Harrison Cliff, Reuben Collins and Ben Wright), but a few fans yesterday also commented on why we still only had three players on the bench.

Defensively we looked fairly strong and a couple of fans have commented on Scott Armsworth’s recent strong performances. There were also comments that we failed to put enough shots on the goal, and this has some merit, as the wet and windy conditions could have put more pressure on the keeper.

Yet another long distance goal was able to beat Chris Rackley and find the net, and yesterday’s was ultimately the only difference between the two teams.

Basingstoke Town FA Trophy Earnings;

Extra Preliminary Round Winners 4-3 at North Leigh £1,500

Preliminary Round Winners 3-2 at Cirencester Town £2,250

First Round Qualifying Losers 1-0 at Melksham Town £800

Total £4,550

But it is time to turn the page on the cup (all cups), and now concentrate on our recent improved league form, as we have up next, another tough road trip to Somerset, to face third-placed Paulton Rovers. Can I remind those who are considering the trip, that the game has an early 12.30pm kick-off time due to a Fireworks Event at the ground later that evening.

With the fact of the early kick-off, the ground will be opening earlier that morning and will be providing a breakfast menu.

Although just 73 miles via the A303, surprise, surprise, the journey isn’t the best as Paulton is a tiny village close to the Mendip Hills. The journey via train (Bath Spa), isn’t that better, so please allow plenty of time to get the ground.

Paulton Rovers were due to be one of the two matches played in our league at the weekend, but their trip to bottom placed Barnstaple Town fell foul to the weather.

The only game that was played saw Bristol Manor Farm’s continued rise up the league table, as they went on the road to Highworth Town, leaving 5-1 winners. The Farm did score 3 goals in the last five minutes of normal time, which made the score-line a little one-sided. From around 3 weeks ago, sitting at the bottom of the table, they now sit in 9^th place with a number of games over the teams above them. Something we should be aiming for also!

With Frome’s 1-2 win at Cirencester on Tuesday night, the Robins moved back to the top of league. However they have played 3 more than unbeaten Thatcham, and two more than our opponents next Saturday. Frome’s Jonathan Davies was not one of the scorers Tuesday, so the leagues goal charts remain the same as last week.

The Top Five in Our League

The Division One South league goal-scoring chart remains the same as last week according to the Bet Victor website

Ok the only slight change to the teams at the bottom of the table, was our victors yesterday who lost last Monday night at home to Moneyfields. For those who didn’t already know, Melksham went into the break with a healthy 4-1 lead, but then caved in the second-half, as Moneyfields put 5 goals past them in the first 22 mins of the restart, leaving the final score Melksham 4-6 Moneyfields.

We still sit in 15th place, so we need something from Paulton to edge further away from the bottom five.

The Bottom Five in our League

Basingstoke Town Goal Scorers Chart (No Change this week)

Just a couple of games in the league this week, both on Tuesday night as Manor Farm host Thatcham Town, will Farms recent form be stopped or will Thatcham lose their unbeaten record?

The other game is of interest to Basingstoke fans as Moneyfields host Sholing who sit below us on goal-difference. Let’s hope the Monies can do us a favour.

Looking ahead to next weekend’s league schedule, teams that we have some interest of have the following fixtures.

Frome Town vs Sholing (16th)

Highworth Town vs AFC Totton (19th)

Melksham Town (17^th) vs Bristol Manor Farm

Thatcham Town vs Barnstaple Town (20th)

Willand Rovers (18^th) vs Cirencester Town

That’s it for this week and the Paulton Rovers match preview will be later this week.