Match Preview: FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Rnd
Basingstoke Town v Wimborne Town
When: Saturday 18th September 2021 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Sports Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Wimborne Town (Nickname – The Magpies), Average 2021-22 Home Attendance 452
Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions £7 Aged 13-17 £3 Aged 12 and Under £1
This Saturday we return to the FA Cup and the 2nd qualifying round home tie against Step 3 Southern League Premier South side Wimborne Town.
The Last Time We played Them
Was on the road in our last year in the Premier League South and things went south and despite this victory in March 2019, as we left Wimborne (now their old ground) with a 2-4 victory. We sadly dropped crucial points over the remaining games and then that fateful home loss to Taunton on the last day of the season, as all the other teams around us did enough to push us to relegation.
Only Adam Everiss was present that day from our current squad, and goals from Ben Wright, Sam Argent, an own goal and the ‘Now you see me Now you don’t’ French player Yvan Yourdan, were enough to get at the time three vital points.
We had also beaten them in the corresponding home fixture the previous September 3-2, plus a 4-2 home victory in the FA Trophy that season.
Our Opponents
Whilst we hosted a Hampshire Cup Game, the Magpies managed by James Stokoe who is also Club Captain sat idle through the week and will have the extra weeks rest.
They entered the FA Cup one round later than us because of their step 3 status and comfortably defeated what is now a step 5 Blackfield & Langley side away 0-3. All three goals were scored by striker Lewis Beale.
They currently sit 21st out of 22 teams with a league record of PLD 6 Won 1 Drawn 1 Lost 4 GF 5 GA 10 Points 4. They have lost all three home games Taunton 1-4, Swindon Supermarine 1-2 and Chesham 1-2 last weekend. On the road they are a little better having drawn 0-0 at Yate they then lost at Hartley Wintney 2-0, before securing their only win 0-2 at Salisbury.
The frontline will be led by 21 year-old Lewis Beale previously from Eastleigh and apart from his hat-trick in the previous round, will be the player to watch as he has 4 league goals as well. He will be joined by Jake Sinclair 26, who has previous experience at Southampton, Hibs as a youth, but more recently Hereford, Frome and Mangotsfield.
In midfield they will look for goals from Ben Scorey another Eastleigh academy product, plus Curtis Young an ex-AFC Bournemouth product, who joined them from AFC Totton in 2018. They also have Jamie Henry who played at various Scottish Clubs before joining them via Salisbury.
In defence they have captain and longest serving player Scott Arnold whose previous clubs also include AFC Bournemouth & Poole. Alongside him will be yet another Eastleigh product Tom Bragg, and Callum Chugg whose career includes AFC Totton and Gosport.
In goal it is likely to be young Billy Terrell who is on loan with Wimborne from AFC Bournemouth.
Your Basingstoke Town
Well we look ahead to the FA Cup after we fell just a little short of a monumental evening against Portsmouth in the Hants Snr Cup. Having in my view the better chances, whilst equally competing with them across the park, the 0-0 draw, was then unfortunately all for nothing, as once again we lost on penalties.
However, what will be needed is that same commitment this Saturday against Wimborne Town.
Prior to Portsmouth was in many views our worst performance of the season, a 2-2 home draw against Chalfont St Peter. Being two-up and with a man advantage, we conceded possession and the midfield, and again missed chances in the first-half to put the game away.
With a number of teams in league action on Tuesday night we have now slipped to 4th place, behind Marlow, Uxbridge and Bracknell, who all won on the night. Our league record is now, PLD 4 Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 0 GF 8 GA 5 Pts 10
But let’s look forward, not back and the potential cracker against higher opposition.
Again we assume Conor Lynch will head the line and another well-taken goal, leaves him with seven goals on the season and with all the confidence any striker needs. He will be supported by Bradley Wilson, who took on and converted the penalty to double our lead last Saturday.
In the midfield/winger slots, George Reid must surely be in that starting line-up, whilst Mckoy Palmer or Lloyd Snell may be on the opposite flank. The hopeful return of Simon Dunn, would solidify the centre and would allow D’Andre Brown to push forward with Ben Cook. It would also be good if Ben put his foot through the ball when that chance arrives.
Still no news if Stefan Brown, will be available. What was interesting was Aiden Lewis, who did a fine job in midfield against Pompey and if Dan Williamson is the right-back as many fans hope, then he is an option in midfield too.
At the back both Scott Armsworth & Daryl Wollers were exceptional Tuesday night, so the decision on James Haworth who appeared to take a knock maybe the only question at the back.
Keeper Paul Strudley looked every bit the keeper Dan Brownlie knew he was, and his command was on show, as well as his penalty-saving efforts, have highlighted his experience and command in the penalty area.
This is an important match for both sides and thus could possibly be a classic cup encounter awaiting to unfold, as both managers, will state they are underdogs, but will know they have a chance to win the £3,375 prize money on the quiet. But this is more about the money, but the chance of a big cup draw in the next round if our Basingstoke side wins.
After the large crowd on Tuesday another big crowd that gets behind your Stoke side could tip the balance in our favour.
Match Preview by Martin French..
Polish 
English 