Basingstoke visit The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
- matthew30770
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Match Preview
Tiverton Town v Basingstoke Town
Tuesday January 20th
7.45pm Kick Off
At The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium
A mini revival over the Christmas period, with two consecutive wins against local rival's fuelled hope, that has since been cancelled out by Two losses. The second of those on Saturday was a painful one against Hanwell at The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, coupled with wins for other relegation rivals, the Yellows are now Eleven points from safety, going into Tuesday’s quick return to home soil.
The previous Two Season’s has seen us come up with sensational escapes, but at the moment we are out of contention to repeat that and in a perilous predicament. Make no mistake though Asa Hall’s men will be looking to atone for the overall display on Saturday.
Will Asa and his coaching team go with the same starting line up or will there be changes of personnel/formation?
Tuesday evening’s opponents Basingstoke sit in mid table and were on a Five game unbeaten run, prior to losing away to Berkhamsted at the weekend. They haven’t been totally convincing on their travels though as that result and just Three away victories indicate.
Dan Brownlie is by today’s standards a long serving manager. He took over at Stoke in 2019 after initially being Martin Kuhl’s assistant. In that time he has been instrumental in guiding them back up to this division, where they have stayed since the 2023/24 campaign.
Striker George Reid is likely to lead Stoke’s attack. Having only featured in 15 league games this season, his current goal tally is an impressive Seven. Into a Fourth term with the Hampshire based side, Reid spent Five season’s with Didcot, interrupted by a spell with Swindon Supermarine.
Fellow forward Robbie Gallagher is another ex Didcot player. A talented, hardworking technician, he joined his current team for the last campaign having been an ever present for Didcot when they were relegated from this league.
With vast experience, pedigree and knowhow, wide midfielder James Clark is 29. In the past he was a key player for Hungerford in National League South. The admired Clark had spells with Hayes & Yeading, Wealdstone and Thatcham and Marlow, becoming a mainstay after Stoke returned to this division.
Another member of Basingstoke’s midfield is Ben Cook. Popular with the club’s fans, Cook has made in excess of 100 senior appearances for the visitors and also had brief stints at both Bracknell and Thatcham.
Industrious, young and gifted midfielder D’Andre Brown has become a regular this term for Dan Brownlie’s side, having been at the club for the bulk of his senior career, after coming through the away side’s academy.
Defender Scott Armsworth’s football upbringing began in Fulham’s academy. A brief spell at Slough followed, before joining Basingstoke in the 2019/20 campaign and has remained at Stoke since then. Armsworth is a strong Performer at this level.
Keeping a decent amount of players who have served him well, Brownlie also has Billy Upton with him, who is another to have been at Basingstoke since they regained their status in this league. A constant in the team, the defender is an assured presence for Stoke.
A familiar name in the visitor’s line up this season is Joe O’loughlin. After relocating, the ex Frome, Tiverton and Yate full back has made himself very much part of the manager’s plans. Now 26, the talented defender is a product of Exeter City’s academy.
In possession of the glove’s at the moment is Simon Grant. Prized away from Marlow after Eight season’s by Bracknell, the commanding and agile keeper went on to play for Hungerford, Hayes & Yeading and Bracknell again. He arrived at Basingstoke in the 2023/24 season and has in the last two season’s become number One.
There are no easy games in this division, but this promises to be a very competitive affair under the light’s. So let’s get behind the team and support the lads on Tuesday evening.
