Basingstoke Town vs Poole Town – Match Preview
Basingstoke v Poole Town
There was to be no mid-week fixture for the Dolphins as the heavy rain rendered the Yate pitch unplayable. So, next up is the away fixture at Basingstoke on Saturday ko 3pm.
We remain in third place in the table (P29 W16 D7 L6 55 points) with a small gap now opening between the top three and the chasing pack. Walton & Hersham still lead the way with Gloucester City hard on their heels and us just 2 points behind. Gosport and Farnham, who have only played 24 matches to date, come next with Sholing and Chertsey still not out of the running.
Basingstoke are currently in 13th place (P29 W10 D6 L13 36 points) and will be keen to improve on their return of 6 points from their last 6 games.
Form Guide
The Dolphins WDDWLW 1st
We have taken 11 points from our last six matches with wins against Plymouth, Walton & Hersham and Hungerford. Our away form has held up well with 8 wins and 2 draws from 14 matches on the road.
Basingstoke Town WDLLDD 17th.
Last time out Basingstoke took a hard-earned point from a goalless draw at Havant & Waterlooville. Their last win was the 3-2 victory at home to Hanwell Town on the 6th January.
Stoke have scored in 13 of their home games, only Walton & Hersham and Gloucester City kept a clean sheet at the Winklebury Football Complex.
The Manager
They are managed by Dan Brownlie who was appointed in 2019 succeeding Martin Kuhl who he served as assistant. In fact, he had served the previous three managers as their assistant before being given the top job. He has a great deal of experience in non-league football and managed Hartley Wintney prior to joining Basingstoke. A former Reading youth team player, Brownlie spent nine seasons with Hartley Wintney as a player, coach and joint-manager, enjoying back-to-back promotions from the Sydenham’s Football League (Wessex) Premier to the Southern Premier Division
Players to look out for
George Reid the influential attacker for ‘Stoke, has been a pivotal part of Dan Brownlie’s side since signing for the club, appearing 117 times and scoring 39 goals. A constant thorn in the side of any opponent, George’s best spell for ‘Stoke came in the famous treble winning 2022/23 season where he scored an astonishing 20 goals in 38 appearances, establishing himself as a favourite amongst the supporters.
Keeper Simon Grant has also been earning high praise for his performances between the sticks. He joined Basingstoke from Bracknell Town in January 2024 and has been a very popular figure in the quad since then. He did suffer a knee injury which kept him out for a while last season, but he is the regular number one now.
Basingstoke have recently signed striker Joe Grant from Bracknell Town; he has scored 8 goals so far this season.
Enjoy the game
Neil Wellington.