Monday Morning Quarterback 2020-21 Season – Issue 4

Well we came down with a slight thud on Saturday, as a one-nil lead in the FA Trophy game at Moneyfields, was not enough as we conceded two second-half goals to go out and more importantly lose the chance to win much needed extra revenue.

Yes some fans will say, as many already have, is that we can concentrate on the league, which is quite correct as we are out of all cup competitions for this season before the end of October.

However, fans of Non-League clubs have always loved a cup run, the chance to play a bigger club, get on Tv and all that goes with that, but we have done little in recent seasons in any of the FA designed cup competitions, whilst we see smaller teams gain large media attention and invaluable cash revenue through these cup successes.

The Moneyfields game was when reflecting on it 24 hours on, two stubborn defences who gave very little away, and where for large parts of the game, neither team really created many clear-cut chances. I lost count of how many players from both teams, went in the referee’s book throughout the game, but it didn’t seem a dirty game, more a hard-tackling affair.

As stated in my match report, we had a couple of first-half chances, but numerous good moving plays throughout the game, came to nothing, as crosses into the box, were either headed clear with ease, or to goalmouth areas, where there was no Stoke player there.

Without an out-an-out striker, the busy midfield needed to move further forward to support the play of Bradley Wilson and George Reid, but many times either it never happened or it arrived too late.

The Stoke goal, Ben Cook’s second of the season, was again well taken, as he beat the defender to the ball, sharply stabbing it home.

A further injury to Simon Dunn, mean’t the early introduction of Harrison Cliff who seemed to put in the effort of two people, but this will likely be needed if Dunny is out for any length of time.

The two goals we gave away, the first we allowed them to break into our box and finish, whilst the second was where we lost the ball in their half, and a perfectly slidden pass left their forward with just the requirement of slotting it past the keeper, which he did.

It also appears Daryl Wollers departure at halftime due to an injury, maybe be more serious than first thought.

Up next is AFC Totton which could be first versus second, with Totton playing Larkhall and with Paulton Rovers also playing, we could slip to third place in the league.

Apart from us, a further nine clubs from our league fell out of the FA Trophy, this leaves just eight clubs remaining , Frome Town, Bideford, Evesham Utd, Highworth Town, Larkhall Athletic, Cinderford Town, Willand Rovers and of course Moneyfields.

Currently the league table remains unchanged.

The Top Five in Our League

Our Basingstoke Town Goal Scoring Chart continues to take shape and with 18 league goals this season from 5 games, it is striker George Hallahan who leads the way five, but with McKoy Palmer close behind him. Unfortunately the Cup goal chart will now remain as stated.

Ok with us sitting idle this week there are five games in our league due to be played, with two on Tuesday and three on Wednesday

Tuesday night.

Frome Town v Highworth Town

Winchester City v Bristol Manor Farm

Wednesday Night

Larkhall Athletic v AFC Totton

Paulton Rovers v Evesham Utd

Slimbridge v Melksham Town

Finally with our team finally returning to Basingstoke, I hope that for once the Town of Basingstoke, does more than talk about following the club and actually fill out the Winklebury ground next Saturday and onwards throughout the season. If they don’t then there is no reason for them to complain.