Post by Hatboy on Mar 27, 2015 18:31:39 GMT
Staines Town (H) Match Preview
Written by Tom Norman
This weekend we welcome Staines Town, as we look to secure back-to-back home league victories for the first time since last season. It's The Swans' first visit back to Clarence Park for four seasons, when goals from JJ O'Donnell and Tony Battersby guided City to victory against our opponents from Surrey.
City's visit to Staines in mid-August was just the second league game of the season. In an entertaining match, the Saints came from 2-0 down with 55 minutes gone, to score three goals in 10 minutes, and secure their first points of the season. Two goals from Steve Wales, and a solitary John Frendo strike gave City their first victory at Wheatsheaf Lane in over 17 year.
Staines have had a disappointing season so far, and find themselves bottom of the table with just 20 points from the 35 games which they have played so far. The Swans are 15 points adrift of safety, and could be relegated tomorrow if results do not go their way.
However, despite their struggles so far, tomorrow's opponents shocked the division last weekend when they defeated table topping Bromley 1-0, on a day when many expected their relegation to be confirmed. Michael Freiter's 77th minute strike proved to be enough for Staines' seventh victory of the season, and only their second under new manager Nicky Forster.
Prior to their win against Bromley, the Swans had lost three and drawn just two of their last five league outings, with their last win having come on the 13th January, when they defeated Gosport Borough at home. Last weekend's victory, while it seems unlikely that will be start of a bid for survival, will certainly give a boost to our opponents ahead of Saturday's game.
The Saints, meanwhile, had a break last weekend, so will be raring to get back into the action. City's last game came two weeks ago, when they secured an important 2-0 win at home to Weston-Super-Mare. An 11th minute Corcoran strike was doubled just after the half hour point by John Frendo, who had himself struggled to find goals recently.
The win over Weston had come at an important time, having picked up just two wins in their last seventeen prior to the victory, and with clubs below starting to pick up wins, the three points were needed to not only help push us up the table, but also to give the club a boost after a slightly gloomy few weeks.
With that win now out the way, and with the players having had a break, the management team will be aiming to pick up the three points this weekend, as they look towards the final seven games of the season.
However, Jimmy Gray and Graham Golds will have to do it without club captain James Comley, who is currently on international duty with Montserrat, as they face Curaco in the World Cup CONCACAF first round qualifiers. Although Comley will be a miss, the managers won't have too many other concerns ahead of the game.
They also managed to bring in a new face this week, with the signing of Joseph N'Guessan on a month's loan from neighbours Stevenage. The attacker, who was most recently on loan with Aldrershot, will go straight into the squad for the game.
With just 15 points separating 18th placed Maidenhead United, and 10th placed side Chelmsford City, a variety of league positions are still up for grabs in the remaining weeks of the season, and the Saints will be looking to finish as high as possible, starting with three points this weekend against Staines Town.
Written by Tom Norman
This weekend we welcome Staines Town, as we look to secure back-to-back home league victories for the first time since last season. It's The Swans' first visit back to Clarence Park for four seasons, when goals from JJ O'Donnell and Tony Battersby guided City to victory against our opponents from Surrey.
City's visit to Staines in mid-August was just the second league game of the season. In an entertaining match, the Saints came from 2-0 down with 55 minutes gone, to score three goals in 10 minutes, and secure their first points of the season. Two goals from Steve Wales, and a solitary John Frendo strike gave City their first victory at Wheatsheaf Lane in over 17 year.
Staines have had a disappointing season so far, and find themselves bottom of the table with just 20 points from the 35 games which they have played so far. The Swans are 15 points adrift of safety, and could be relegated tomorrow if results do not go their way.
However, despite their struggles so far, tomorrow's opponents shocked the division last weekend when they defeated table topping Bromley 1-0, on a day when many expected their relegation to be confirmed. Michael Freiter's 77th minute strike proved to be enough for Staines' seventh victory of the season, and only their second under new manager Nicky Forster.
Prior to their win against Bromley, the Swans had lost three and drawn just two of their last five league outings, with their last win having come on the 13th January, when they defeated Gosport Borough at home. Last weekend's victory, while it seems unlikely that will be start of a bid for survival, will certainly give a boost to our opponents ahead of Saturday's game.
The Saints, meanwhile, had a break last weekend, so will be raring to get back into the action. City's last game came two weeks ago, when they secured an important 2-0 win at home to Weston-Super-Mare. An 11th minute Corcoran strike was doubled just after the half hour point by John Frendo, who had himself struggled to find goals recently.
The win over Weston had come at an important time, having picked up just two wins in their last seventeen prior to the victory, and with clubs below starting to pick up wins, the three points were needed to not only help push us up the table, but also to give the club a boost after a slightly gloomy few weeks.
With that win now out the way, and with the players having had a break, the management team will be aiming to pick up the three points this weekend, as they look towards the final seven games of the season.
However, Jimmy Gray and Graham Golds will have to do it without club captain James Comley, who is currently on international duty with Montserrat, as they face Curaco in the World Cup CONCACAF first round qualifiers. Although Comley will be a miss, the managers won't have too many other concerns ahead of the game.
They also managed to bring in a new face this week, with the signing of Joseph N'Guessan on a month's loan from neighbours Stevenage. The attacker, who was most recently on loan with Aldrershot, will go straight into the squad for the game.
With just 15 points separating 18th placed Maidenhead United, and 10th placed side Chelmsford City, a variety of league positions are still up for grabs in the remaining weeks of the season, and the Saints will be looking to finish as high as possible, starting with three points this weekend against Staines Town.
