Bashley are no strangers to the Spencer Stadium having been regular visitors during our time in the Southern League’s Eastern and Premier Divisions, the teams having met in eleven of the last fifteen seasons. Honours are even with eight wins each and six draws from the 22 games between the teams.

It is though rather a surprise that we are playing the New Forest club this season for after relegation from the Premier Division at the end of season 2013/14 they found last season a huge struggle finishing bottom of the South & West Division with just eight points.

Remarkably though, in view of their low points tally, they received an unexpected reprieve from relegation to the Wessex League during the summer and so are again playing at Southern League level this season.

Unfortunately this season has not started any better for Bashley with them pointless from eight games and having suffered some heavy defeats including a 9-0 loss at Wantage Town. Nevertheless, with the return of the experienced Steve Riley to the manager’s post just before the start of the season one would not be surprised to see improvement in the near future and in fact their last two results have seen defeats restricted to one and two goal margins.

As for ourselves, our early exit from the FA Cup meant we had a blank Saturday last weekend so we have not played since our draw at Larkhall Athletic two weeks ago.

In squad news Andy Gunn misses the game through his one game suspension for his sending off in the FA Cup game at Hartley Wintney and Darius Browne is unavailable. New signings Ollie Stanbridge and Charlie Wise are expected to be involved but United will be without Carl Tappin who has decided to leave the club and move to Ardley United in search of a regular starting place.

Kick-off on Saturday is 3.00pm

Admission Prices: Adults £10, Concessions (Over 60s and Full Time Students) £5, Under 16s £1

Programme £2

Free Parking

Free to sit in the stand

Hot food available in the Clubhouse