Monday Morning Quarterback 2020-21 Season – Issue 6

Monday Morning Quarterback 2020-21 – Issue 6

Well seven days on, we had some good news with our first win league at Winklebury, only now to have to deal with the prospect of another National Lockdown, that is likely to shutdown our level of football once again!!

Currently it is expected that our away game at Highworth Town on Wednesday evening (7.30pm KO), will still go ahead, assuming there are no further complications like at Melksham and currently across other teams in our league.

Our game last Tuesday, was another 400 sell-out, and for once we were on the front-foot from the start taking the lead on five minutes and doubling that lead less than 90 seconds later.

Mangotsfield, as I had stated in my match preview, are made up of their young academy team, that has due to financial constraints risen into the first team. They are speedy, confident team, that never gives in, and if they had taken their half-chances, could have gotten back into the game.

We ultimately, killed the game just past the half-hour, when defender Shaun Dallimore was first to the rebound from the keeper. Three goals up, neither team could capitalise on a few chances for either side for the remainder of the game, but a clean sheet, our first league win on an artificial surface and our first win at Winklebury will do nicely as, we moved into third place in the league.

Then our postponed game at Melksham was one of a number cancelled last Saturday. Talk of possibly scheduling the Melksham game for the free Saturday in two Saturday’s time is now just talk, as we sit and wait for a decision by the FA first and then Southern League, on what happens next.

Two of the three games did involve teams who sit above us in the league.

Cirencester won on the road at bottom-placed Mangotsfield and matched our 3-0 score. Two more goals from Joshua Grace-Parsons and a late goal by Aidan Bennett were those on the mark on the day.

Second-placed AFC Totton, were a little surprised when they went behind after just two minutes at Thatcham Town, but a second-half comeback saw them win two 1-2 with goals by Sam Griffin (65) and Hisham Kasimu (77 mins).

The top of the table like this as we move into this week’s matches.

The Top Five in Our League

Ok I  hadn’t planned in including the bottom five in our league for sometime, but with the expected shutdown for four weeks or possibly longer, I thought it best to confirm those teams who currently sit in the relegation places prior to the shutdown.

Mangotsfield stay rooted at the bottom but are one of three teams, who have failed to win this season so far.

The bottom five looks like this going into this week’s games.

 Probably a little unfair to announce the highest and lowest attendances of the weekend with just three games taking place, but oh why not !

The highest crowd last Saturday was Mangotsfield’s 230 as they hosted league leaders Cirencester Town. The lowest crowd of the day was just 125 at the Paulton Rovers versus Slimbridge match.

Our Basingstoke Town Goal Scoring Chart continues to take shape and with 23 league goals this season from 5 games, it is striker George Hallahan who leads the way five, but subject to confirmation Bradley Wilson could also have five goals.

Unfortunately the Cup goal chart will now remain as stated.

*  Denotes confirmation of Basingstoke’s first goal against AFC Totton. Currently the league website states this was an own goal by Stephane Zubar, although the club believes this was in fact a Bradley Wilson strike. If it changes Wilson will be 5 league goals and in a tie with George Hallahan.

Ok there are currently eight games in our league this week including our game. However, I can imagine some of these will be called off for various reasons.

The games scheduled are a 7.30pm KO unless stated

Tuesday night.

Frome Town v AFC Totton  7.45pm

Mangotsfield Utd v Evesham Utd

Melksham Town v Cinderford Town (Doubtful)

Moneyfields v Barnstaple Town

Thatcham Town v Bristol Manor Farm

Winchester City v Sholing  7.45pm

Wednesday Night

Highworth Town v Basingstoke Town

Paulton Rovers v Cirencester Town

What also could cause these games to be postponed are the long distance some teams will have to travel.

However, some nice top half of the table match-ups, with Frome Town hosting AFC Totton on Tuesday evening, then Cirencester Town visit Paulton Rovers on the Wednesday evening.

Hope to see you at all Highworth, however if not please stay safe and keep an eye out for any news regarding what will happen to our league and the way ahead.