Tiverton Town v Basingstoke Town
Saturday March 1st
At The Slee Blackwell Stadium
Seven of the remaining Eleven fixtures for the Yellows’ will be played at The Slee Blackwell. Home advantage hasn't counted enough during this difficult campaign and unless that changes, the division that we play in definitely will.
A quick look at the form table sees Tiverton in 14th place and Saturday's opponents Basingstoke in 20th. However, despite taking Seven points from our last Six games, in that time we have only scored Three goals and the truth is it’s doubtful that similar form statistics will be good enough to prolong our stay at this level.
Few will forget Dylan Jones’s goal celebration to secure Southern League Premier South Football in the penultimate game of the 2023/24 season, at Harrow Borough. Avoiding the daunting proposition of playing in the last game of the season with our fate being in our hands.
Although with Two month’s of the season to go, it’s relevant to mention that during March of the previous relegation tussle, Leigh Robinson’s team accrued 10 points from 5 games. This month sees 6 scheduled games for us and if we can match that return, we will give ourselves a good chance of survival.
It could be a nail-biting affair at the weekend, bearing in mind that Basingstoke’s home success against Winchester on the 11th January is their only win since the turn of the year. A slump in form has resulted in them falling down the table and the pressure is mounting on the 14th placed team.
This month has also seen them draw with high flying Merthyr and Gloucester, indicating a very capable side on their day. However, Saturday’s 3-0 home loss to Havant & Waterlooville, with Keeper Simon Grant and Captain Billy Upton receiving Red Cards, rounded off a miserable February for Stoke.
Danny Brownlie was appointed manager of the Hampshire side in 2019 and has engineered a bit of a renaissance at the club, following some tough years. Though under achieving of late, there is definitely quality in his squad.
Liam Ferdinand has scored many goals at this level, although by his own standards 10 in 30 games is pretty mediocre. However, don’t be under any illusions, if he gets chances he knows where the net is.
The former England C international has played in the colours of Harrow Borough, Bracknell, Chesham, Farnborough and Hungerford. It was in the 21/22 season that he first come to prominence at Met Police, with 22 goals from 40 games in this division.
Wide forward, 23 year old Jaden Brissett is a recent acquisition from National League South, Hampton & Richmond. He was professionally contracted to both Norwich, where he came through the Canary’s academy and Brentford where he played for their B team. The winger is an exciting talent.
A key and dependable player for Stoke is James Clark. The 31 year old midfield schemer, made over 200 appearances for Hungerford and the majority of those were at the level above. Wealdstone, Hayes & Yeading and Beaconsfield are also on his CV. This experience has seen him become a vital component of the team, over his Two seasons with them.
Former Dorking Wanderer’s midfielder, the cultured James Dickson appears to be a good bit of business, with his recent capture from Raynes Park.
Centre Back Jack Ball has good pedigree. The 33 year old having played for both Farnborough and Salisbury. Beginning at Hartley and Wintney, Ball has immense experience and knows this division, inside out.
Right Back Marcus Johnson- Schuster has represented Braintree, Hungerford and Wealdstone higher up the football pyramid. He was an academy player with Plymouth Argyle and is now in the second season of a Third Spell with Basingstoke and has made well over 100 appearances for the club.
Rob Dray’s men can point to a 3-1 away win at Saturday’s opponents, as a source of encouragement. They can ill afford too many more slip ups and I’m sure will be giving everything in trying to secure a much needed win. So let’s show our support for the lads in what will be the first of Three games at home, that could be season defining.
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