Match Preview: Basingstoke Town vs Gosport Borough – Saturday 28th February 2026

Match Preview: Southern League Premier South
Basingstoke Town vs Gosport Borough
When: Saturday 28th February 2026 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Gosport Borough (The Boro), 2025-26 Curr League Position 6th

Following Tuesday’s night good Hampshire Cup victory against Gosport, we return to Winklebury tomorrow to face us, in what is regarded as the more important league fixture.
After yet another earlier departure in the FA Cup, at Gosport in September, we then returned to Privett Park in November and with a brace by Cheick Sylla, plus goals from Billy Upton & James Dickson, we defeated them 4-3 in the league.

Our Opponents
Glenn Howes is the Head Coach at Privett Park. Howes, having had recent success as Manager at Dorchester Town, and Howes had previously played for Boro from 2007 to 2009. He is assisted by Mark Summerhill.

Last Saturday saw Gosport lead 2-0 going into the final ten minutes, but two goals by Dorchester Town, saw them drop two points in the 2-2 draw. They currently sit on the edge of the playoffs in sixth place. Their record sits at Pld 31 Won 14 Drawn 6 Lost 11 and 48pts. Their away record sits at just 5 Wins, 3 Draws and 7 Losses. Their leading goalscorer is Ethan Taylor with eleven goals, since joining from AFC Totton. Ex Winchester City winger Trevor Caborn, can also play in a striking role and has five goals. Michael Fernandes has six goals since joining from Swindon Supermarine. Well-known Rafa Ramos had ten goals before leaving for Winchester City. Club legend Daniel Wooden, started at the club in 2010, after impressing at Moneyfields, and apart from a short stint at AFC Portchester he rejoined in 2021, and has been there ever since. Another player arriving from AFC Totton, was French striker Hisham Kasimu, who has four goals since arriving in January.

The midfield contains winger Bradley Tarbuck, who has been at the club since 2021. He started his career at his boyhood club Portsmouth, making two appearances for them before leaving in 2015 to join Havant & Waterlooville. Another player signing from AFC Totton was experienced midfielder Adam Tomasso, who had spent the previous seasons with the Stags. They added left-sided midfielder, 21-year-old Kaya Tshaka, from Havant & Waterlooville, who started his career with the Southampton and Sunderland Academies before joining Eastleigh, spending some time at Wimborne before joining Gosport. In January they added Jordan Ngalo, who joined from Salisbury Fc.

In defence they have Charlie Wassmer, who joined in June 2023, after a loan period from Hayes & Yeading. He has played for a number of clubs, including Crawley Town, Cambridge Utd & Margate. Rory Williams is back for another season and captains the side from his left-back role. He started his career in Boro’s youth ranks, but has also played for Havant & Waterlooville & Andover. At right back it is Benny Read, regarded as a classy right back who has previously played for Havant & Waterlooville, AFC Totton, and most recently Sholing. Last month they added experienced Joe Oastler from AFC Totton. Oastler previously played for Boro in 2017. 24 year-old centre-back Joe Morrison joined from Beaconsfield Town in December. In November, Ben Greenwood joined from Farnborough in and has five goals from his defensive role. In goal will be Henry Blackledge, who has taken on the keepers role since last December.

Our Basingstoke Town Side
Last Saturday’s 6-2 loss, despite early promise and going into the halftime break level with Walton & Hersham, extended our winless streak to seven games in the league. However, three days ago we faced Gosport Borough, in the pre-runner of tomorrows league fixture, and despite reports of injuries from the Saturday, Stoke put out a strong starting line-up, with Joe Barough replacing Cheick Sylla who moved to the bench, whilst Joe Grant was rested for the evening. The 4-2 victory, saw Tom Blake level the scoring, which was followed by Joe Barough, with two neatly finishing twice, one in each half, and despite a late comeback from Gosport, James Clark converted a late penalty, to put us through in the cup.

With other games played in the league during the week, we have now slipped one place to fifteenth in the league, with our record now at Pld 31 Won 10 Drawn 6 Lost 15 and 36pts. Our home record now stands at 7 Wins, 2 draw & 7 losses.
For tomorrow’s game although Tuesday, we showed lots of pace moving forward, I assume both Joe Grant & Cheick Sylla will return to the starting eleven. This leaves Robbie Gallagher, George Reid & Joe Barough fighting for the remaining attacking roles. Dan Rowe, still appears to be the odd man out currently. Sill no update on Ore Bello?

The midfield who were under a lot of pressure at Walton, had more control on Tuesday, and Tom Blake who added his fourth goal since arriving, and Josh Green revelled in their roles. Ben Cook played his first full ninety minutes since October, and did more than enough to be in contention for a starting role tomorrow. James Dickson was a late substitution Tuesday, but depending on how we set-up, could get the nod to start. D’Andre Brown, is currently out injured, and has missed the last three games.

With expectations of one of two defenders missing following knocks at Walton, Stoke’s only change at the back was the return of James Clark to his right-back role. Both Scott Armsworth & Billy Upton started Tuesday, but were under lots of pressure from a strong Gosport strikeforce. Jack Ball who was expected to miss Tuesday, replaced Armsworth for the last twenty minutes, and will be looking for a starting role tomorrow. Joe O’Loughlin is still the first choice at the left-back role. Lloyd Snell, back from injury, will be in contention for a starting role either here, or in a possible midfield role, and Elliott Legg may once more be pushed to a role on the bench. Simon Grant, who would have been unhappy to have conceded eight goals in the last two games, is still our No.1, and will look to thwart a good Gosport forward-line tomorrow.

When teams play each other twice in the same short period, it is difficult to understand how both teams will react to the first game, and look to make changes following the original result. Stoke showed lots of pace pushing forward, against what appeared a slow Gosport back-four, who are likely to make changes here.

A big game for both teams, as Gosport need the points to continue their push for a playoff place, whilst Stoke really need to end their winless streak in the league, and start to push away from the bottom seven places in the league.

Let’s Go Stoke !

Match Preview by Martin French..