With the
exception of a narrow 1-0 loss against Ebbsfleet United last weekend,
Basingstoke arrive on a good run of form, claiming victories in all of their
previous four league games. During this spell, today’s guests have scored eight
times without conceding. As we go into December, Basingstoke are well on
track to a promotion challenging campaign, currently residing just outside the
playoff spots in sixth place.
The
‘Stoke have never competed at National Conference level or higher, but came
close to promotion in the 2011/12 season, where they eventually lost out in the
playoffs. Basingstoke had started the campaign positively both in the league
and cup competitions. As they battled at the top end of the table, the ‘Stoke
won their FA Cup qualifying games, and drew League One Brentford in the first
round. It was here that they exited the competition with a 1-0 loss, and also
began to fall away from the playoff positions as they struggled in the league.
Former
manager Frank Gray was finally released in February, and long-time club servant
Jason Bristow took the reins with Basingstoke 12 points adrift of the playoffs.
An extraordinary sequence of results saw Bristow propel the club up the table
and secure the last playoff spot on the final day of the season in a tremendous
turnaround of club fortunes. Basingstoke kept Chelmsford out of the playoffs by
one place in a battle that went right to the wire and saw the team adhere to
their motto of 'Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum', meaning ‘No stepping back’. A fairy-tale ending was not to
be as they were knocked out in the semi-finals to eventual winners Dartford.
Last
season was disappointing for Bristow as the team struggled, finally finishing
just four points away from relegation. A fourteenth place finish in a tight
bottom half provided the ‘Stoke with much to do this year in order to compete
for promotion once again.
A summer
of good preparation sent Basingstoke racing out of the traps as the current
season commenced in August, taking twelve points from a possible fifteen. Only
Weston-Super-Mare could blemish the 100% record, with a 1-0 win on their own
turf; a minor derailment of the ‘Stokes promotion charge.
September
proved to be a month of misery as two losses and a draw in the league were capped
off with a loss in the FA Cup second qualifying round, where again
Weston-Super-Mare were there to upset Basingstoke, beating them 3-1 and ending
their challenge in the competition.
October
was a month of mixed fortunes as Basingstoke suffered their heaviest loss of
the league campaign so far, going down 4-1 away to Havant and Waterlooville.
However, as the month finished evenly, they also picked up their biggest win,
putting four past Dorchester Town without response. Two wins and two losses completed
the month for Basingstoke, who also went through in the Hampshire Senior Cup.
Last
month, two wins in the league completed four in a row, which were followed with
the loss at Ebbsfleet, the most recent league result for the visitors as they
make a start to busy December. The ‘Stoke will be keen to take away something
from the Melbourne stadium today as they prepare for a tough run of games as we
head towards Christmas. Basingstoke next play host to Whitehawk, before then
entertaining top of the table Bromley at the Camrose Ground. They then travel
to Bishop Stortford in what would currently be seen as a six pointer for the
two sides.
Kezie Ibe
returns as a familiar face to Chelmsford today, sure to be searching for goals
to add to his ever increasing tally. Ibe has netted three times so far this
season, returning with fond memories as he scored 35 times in a Clarets shirt
in two separate stints at the club. His strike partner Manny Williams will be
one to watch today as the visitors’ top goal scorer with eight so far this
campaign. The former Woking and Hayes and Yeading man scored a brace in his
side’s 4-0 win over Dorchester Town, but he hasn’t managed to get on the score
sheet since his double.
Another
to watch today is vastly experienced Neil Barrett, who will attempt to pull the
strings in midfield. Barrett started his career at Chelsea, but it was in his
time at Portsmouth that he made his first senior start, then going on to make
twenty six league appearances for the club. Among others, he has also played
for Dundee United, Livingstone and York City.
We hope
for an entertaining game today between two sides that have had differing
seasons so far. We would like to also take this opportunity to thank all of the
visiting fans for their attendance at the Melbourne stadium, and wish you all a
safe journey back this evening.
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