Monday Morning Quarterback 2019-20 Issue 1

Ok the return of Monday Morning Quarterback will take a slightly different view this season, like last season it will take a look at our league throughout the season and our latest own weekend match, but it will also take into comments that fans either discuss with me at games, text or email me from week to week.

So where are we after five league games, and as of last night dumped out of two cup competitions.

I will start with the cup competitions first. The FA Cup loss to Westfield was not only a major blow to the fans, not just because we have been fairly shocking in our FA Cup performances in recent seasons, but also of equal importance is the continued loss of possible invaluable revenue each season. Westfield were a decent team, but again we failed to take our chances. If we had beaten Westfield a trip to Chipstead was up next and with a win there, would have us taking a trip to National League South Welling Utd.

Last night’s League Cup was another game that we worked our socks off and without doubt deserved to win, but currently nothing is falling our way. All the players put the effort in and the on-loan players showed why they are at higher level clubs and think their contribution raised the performances of the rest of the team.

I will however question the time it took to get the replacement keeper onto the pitch. The wait was endless was one comment from a fan standing next to me. This allowed the referee to add a large chunk of added time, which in the end resulted in the 96th minute equaliser.

Another fan who I agree with commented on the very late substitution of Harrison Cliff for Reece Rusher. The team were tiring and think Rushers earlier intervention and his energy would have helped not just on the pitch but more for the simple fact, that the Rusher penalty save was possibly his first touch of the ball.

Ok now for a look at the league, as for those fans who have seen any league games, we have failed to impress. Defensively, we have been weak and when chances have come our way, they simply haven’t been taken. We however head into another home game on Saturday against Cinderford Town. The Foresters sit in 10th place and will come looking for points.

With our expected new look line-up, I am hoping that we can knock any confidence they have and finally get our first three points.

Taking a look at the top of our table, last season’s relegated team Frome Town, are looking to seek an instant return, whilst nearby Thatcham Town have also impressed and they sit one place above last week’s visitors Larkhall Athletic. These three teams along with our hosts Winchester City are the four remaining unbeaten teams.

In 4th and 5th are Paulton Rovers and our opponents next month Mangotsfield Utd.

The Top Five in Our League

TEAM PLD WON DRAWN LOST PTS
Frome Town    6    5     1   0 16
Thatcham Town    5    4     1   0 13
Larkhall Athletic    5    3     2   0 11
Paulton Rovers    5    3     1   1 10
Mangotsfield Town    4    3     0   1  9

 

At the bottom of the table and the only team below us is Willand Rovers, who are the only  team in our league without a point.

Above us are Melksham Town, AFC Totton (our opponents on Sat 21st Sept) and Sholing (we already lost 2-0), and Slimbridge (we already lost 2-0).

Yes we have only just started our league campaign and yes comments around our team needing to settle are valid, but is that not the same for all teams in our league.

The Bottom Five in our League

TEAM PLD WON DRAWN LOST PTS
Sholing    5              1     0   4   3
AFC Totton    5              1     0   4   3
Melksham Town    4              1     0   3   3
Basingstoke Town    5              0     1   4   1
Willand Rovers    5              0     0   5   0

 

Basingstoke Town League Goal Scorer Chart

Ben Wright 2

Reece Rusher 1

Claudio Herbert 1

Adam Everiss 1

This weekend’s games affecting us at the bottom of the table are;

Barnstaple Town vs Slimbridge AFC

Bristol Manor Farm vs AFC Totton

Frome Town vs Willand Rovers

Highworth Town vs Melksham Town

 

 

 

SHARE

LEAVE A REPLY