Match Preview | Basingstoke Town

Tiverton Town vs Basingstoke Town

Saturday 6th December 3pm kick off

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium

A good festive month will be needed to put us back within touching distance of safety. There are plenty of points to play for, but equally a solid run of results and momentum will be fundamental in what has become the annual Tiverton survival act. What should be seen as an excellent point in Dorset against a very good Poole side last Tuesday, is hopefully a springboard to better results on the pitch. Fielding Matt Wonacott and fellow new midfield signings that evening, Ryan Keates and Jack Kennell in the line-up, helped to achieve that outcome and the fans will be watching with interest to see how Saturday’s eleven fare. 

Absentees, long term and otherwise, saw Asa Hall and Steve Orchard having to do without Dean Moxey, Louis Jagger Cane and Gabe Billington. Dan Koita was not deemed fit enough to start against the Dolphins, but it must be said that the team performed admirably and encouragingly then and in the slim defeat against Gosport that preceded it. 

Our opposition come in the form of lower mid-table Basingstoke. The Hampshire side who began the season with Charlie Austin at their disposal, have had a mixed bag of results. Manager Dan Brownlie and his team will be intent on ending a four-game losing sequence. They went down 3-0 at home to the imperious Walton & Hersham at the Weekend. Brownlie, in this day and age, should be regarded as a long serving boss at Basingstoke, having instigated the sides resurgence since taking over the role in 2019. The construction of this current squad is an impressive one, with plenty of notable non-league players available to him. 

Not typically big scorers this season and with Charlie Austin moving on, it is George Reid who has good goals by game statistics. Five from eleven league games for the former Didcot and Swindon Supermarine striker, leads the way. The talented marksman is in a second spell at the club, which he began in the 2023/24 campaign. Nursing an injury, he could return on Saturday. 

Though don’t discount the threat of Liam Ferdinand who despite going through a lean spell this term, has proven form in this division, as his 22 goals from 40 League games when playing for a strong Met Police outfit in the 2020/21 season emphasises. The dangerous predator who also has stints with Farnborough, Chesham and Bracknell on his playing profile is a very good option to have. 

Look out also for loan signing Josh Dolling who arrived at the start of November from National South Totton. Dolling can be deployed as either an attacking midfielder or as a forward. His football abilities saw him play in Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Burnley’s academies during his formative years. Further experience in the USA collegiate system and in the Northern League with Trafford and Preston Cables will have proved invaluable. 

Hardworking and technical midfielder Ben Cook has established himself as a regular starter over the past few campaigns. His time at Stoke was briefly interrupted by a short spell away at divisional rivals Bracknell, but since the 2019/ 20 season he has made close to 150 senior appearances in all competitions. 

Midfield player D’Andre Brown is another constant for the visitors under Brownlie. 100 games into his senior career all made at Stoke, the energetic and skilful performer has virtually been at the club, during his manager’s tenure. With Hungerford, Wealdstone and Hayes & Yeading on his CV when all three sides were playing at higher non-league levels than they are now, James Clark is a highly influential player in our visitor’s defence. Clark’s versatility has seen him flourish in a number of positions. 

34-year-old centre back Jack Ball is a dependable leader in the away sides' backline. A mainstay at Farnborough, who also was at another side who now play a step higher Salisbury, will be sure to be an excellent talker both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Ball is a skilled defender and organiser. This is a settled defensive unit with Scott Armsworth and Billy Upton also regular components of it. Armsworth’s football upbringing began in Fulham’s academy set up and he too is an accomplished defender. Popular with the fans, Upton has been plying his trade with Stoke for the past three seasons. 

Marcus Johnson-Schuster is at our visitors for the third occasion, and this is his most sustained period. The former Plymouth Argyle youngster has carved out quite a career in non-league circles. A Braintree and Hungerford player a step further up the pyramid, the cultured 30-year-old full back has both pedigree and experience. 

To complete Brownlie’s numerous defensive options is Joe O’Loughlin. Now 26, the former Bath University player, represented the Yellows in the 2022/23 campaign and the full back who played for Frome either side of his time with Tivvy, has also worn the colours of Yate and Tavistock. A relocation sees the attacking full back return to a previous stomping ground as part of the opposition. 

Behind the defence and currently in possession of the gloves is Joel Halliday who was with Chertsey when the season began, although commanding keeper Simon Grant has played in most of Stokes` games this term. The 33-year-old was Marlow’s number one for eight seasons and with Hungerford, Hayes & Yeading and Bracknell all acquiring his services in the past, he is very respected for his all-round abilities as a keeper. 

Can the team make progress by delivering what would be only their second Southern League Premier South home victory of the 2025/26 campaign ? The Slee Blackwell Stadium will have to become a fortress if we are to remain competitive in this standard of football. The signs have been encouraging and the will to do this is definitely present in this group of players. So, let’s get behind the lads. 

#OneTownOneTeamOneTivvy 💛