Match Preview: Velocity Cup Second Round (The Alan Turvey Cup)
Basingstoke Town Vs Binfield Fc
When: Tuesday 18th October 2022 Kick-off 7.45pm
The Velocity Cup you may ask? Well it is the Isthmian League’s version of the League Cup, where the Step 4 clubs take part in the lower rounds, where I believe the Step 3 clubs enter in round 3.
Last season’s winners were Horsham who beat Margate on a neutral ground which for this final was at Aveley FC.
And yes you will be quite right, in wondering what happened to us in this competition last season. Well the club for whatever reason decided not to take part.
This season however, we are taking part, and after receiving one of the many bias in the first round, we host Binfield in the second round tomorrow evening.
Our Opponents
Yes Binfield you may ask, after having already lost 2-0 to them at Winklebury in the league back at the end of August, we now face them in a cup competition.
Binfield did have a game in the first-round, beating Marlow 3-0 at home.
Binfield will head to Winklebury following a surprising 3-1 loss at South Park, and they currently sit five places above us in third place, behind Marlow and our last weekend opponents Northwood.
The question is will Binfield risk playing a full squad for this cup competition, as they have a tough match four days later against one of the early playoff hopefuls Walton & Hersham. Not only this but they more pressing thought’s about their continuing presence in the FA Trophy, as they have a tough first round match at Tavistock in two weeks-time.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
Our last home game for a couple of weeks, has us facing a tough Binfield side, leaving Dan Brownlie with many decisions to make, around how much he wishes to win this game and how much and who he can risk to achieve it.
With the forward line still stretched through injuries, it may well be the Ezio Touray & Bradley Wilson show to start the game at least. Stefan Brown to many fans is wasted in midfield and needs to be pushed upfront, especially as he is now had more playing time each game. Ashleigh Artwell also now has some minutes under his belt, and could play a more featured role if required. Is Marcio Neves worth a 15-20 minute appearance late on if required an option too.
Although we all want to see George Reid tomorrow night, would a start from young Brody Peart be more appropriate, giving him the plan to attack Binfield with his pace.
Assuming Michael Atkinson has recovered from his illness, then he surely will lead the team, whilst giving Anton Rodgers the first 45 minutes, would allow him to acquire more match fitness, but also get the mindset of him starting, rather than him replacing a player if we trail to Binfield.
What we do with the defence is another decision to be made. Obviously the starting back four will want to play, but giving one or two of the other options a chance to start is also important. This means Nathan Smart, Dan Williamson & Callum Winchcombe could be part of the starting line-up.
In goal although Mark Scott has shown how experienced a keeper he is, will we hand the gloves to Paul Strudley for this game.
We sit in eighth place in the league with a tough match this Saturday at Uxbridge, and the need to get back to winning ways an imperative.
I’m sure both Dan & Aaron will have a gameplan ready, but if Binfield put out a slightly weakened line-up, will we react to that?
The only way to find out is to make your way down to Winklebury tomorrow evening with the weather (currently) set to be dry and get behind the team as we look to get a little payment back for the defeat to Binfield in the league.
Match Preview by Martin French..