Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-20 Season – Issue 7

Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-2020 Issue 7 Upon Further Review

With Basingstoke missing four players (Harrison Cliff, Reuben Collins, Ben Wright and Aaron Kuhl) all through injury and Zach Robinson out because of illness, we were still able to extend our unbeaten run to six games.

More importantly we secured our second league win of the season, which took us up four places to 15^th in the division.

In a pulsating first-half performance it was again pace that forced Melksham to give way numerous corners. Our first two goals resulted from these corners and we also missed a free header from another corner prior to Mikey Davis’s goal.

However, we were also at fault for Melksham’s goals, as we failed to properly clear our lines, winning the first ball, needs to be followed up by winning the second ball too, but in the end despite all the second-half pressure from Melksham, we secured the three-points from Dean Stow’s second of the game, this one from the penalty spot.

Stow’s first, was another one of those dead-ball free-kicks, which he is well known for and which the keeper was unable to stop. Stow my man-of-the-match also made a very important last ditch tackle with just a few minutes to go.

But that’s not to say the rest of the Stoke team, didn’t put a shift in as the second-half saw many heavy Melksham tackles where our players were first to the ball in a competitive midfield battle.

There was a lot of talk about the referee, who had a tough game as he tried to keep a lid on a match that could have boiled over in a match that could have exploded into a brawl. I know our fans were calling for more red cards and they were probably justified in some respects.

Also, I see no difference from the late goal-keeping challenge that took out Andrady, than the one that Rackley did in the cup match against Moneyfields. Chris got a straight red, whilst Melksham’s keeper didn’t appear to even get a yellow card.

It will be interesting to see how Melksham go about next weeks FA Trophy match, with the fact that they could face a significantly different starting line-up next week.

But that match is six days away and we will saviour this win for a day or so first.

Ok let’s take a look at the rest of the league this weekend, starting with the nine games on Saturday.

There were goals aplenty in a few games, starting with Thatcham Town who took 30 minutes to break the deadlock at AFC Totton, only to add a further r five as they ran out 0-6 winners and moved back to the top of the table. A pair of goals by Felipe Barcelos, with fellow forwards Kyle Tooze, James Tennant and George Jeacock all adding goals with ex-Stoke defender Matt Partridge adding one as well.

Thatcham replaced Paulton Rovers who lost 0-1 at promotion chasing Slimbridge. The only goal of the game was on 51 mins by midfielder Jack Horrell. Slimbridge moved into 5th place with the win.

In third are Frome Town who fought out a 2-2 draw on the road at Larkhall. The home side took an early lead before being pegged back and then falling behind to a late goal by Frome’s Kane Simpson. However, Frome’s joy was short-lived as an 87th minute equaliser by defender Michael Baker split the points.

The tenth game of the weekend was Sunday’s match at Evesham Utd who held onto fourth place with a tight 1-0 win against Willand Rovers. The only goal was on 47 mins by forward Paul Sullivan. Willand Rovers with the loss dropped back into the relegation zone to 18th place.

The top of the table now looks like this;

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 at the bottom of the table and with us moving out of the bottom five on goal difference, our win pushed Melksham down into 17^th place.

Barnstaple Town stay rooted at the bottom of the table after taking a thumping at home to Winchester City 1-6. A hat-trick inside an hour by 29-year old forward Simba Mlambo was added to by midfielders Ilk Hill, Jamie Barron and Robert Carr, who added a goal each.

The other team in the relegation zone are Sholing despite winning 3-2 at home against Bideford. The Robins raced into a two-nil lead inside 7 minutes before Sholing started the fight back on the half-hour, with two goals in 3 minutes by forwards Stuart Green and Lewis Wort. They then took all three points with Stuart Green’s second goal of the game with just seven minutes left to play. Sholing remain below Basingstoke by the fact that we have scored more league goals than them.

There were three other games in the league that didn’t affect the top of the bottom of the tables. These were Bristol Manor Farms 1-0 win against Moneyfields. Cinderford Town who lost at home to Highworth Town 1-2 and last weeks opponents Cirencester, who thumped Mangotsfield 5-0. The Field since our draw in Bristol earlier this month, have now lost 4-0 and 5-0 and have started to slip down the league.

The Bottom Five in our League

Basingstoke Town Goal Scorers Chart

Just a couple of games in the league this week, starting with our opponents Melksham Town who entertain Moneyfields on Monday night. Then on Tuesday Cirencester Town host Frome Town.

With a number of teams active in next Saturday’s FA Trophy, there are only two league games scheduled to play.

Barnstaple Town vs Paulton Rovers

Highworth Town vs Bristol Manor Farm

The FA Trophy match preview will be later this week.