Match Preview

The Swans are flying high again after a few years of treading water, and the next guests are also enjoying a season as one of the division’s most entertaining sides.

They are among the Bostik Premier’s highest-scoring teams, equal best with Hendon on 68 successful strikes. The next visitors are in promotion contention and fifth in the table.

Town boss Johnson Hippolyte has been focusing on the rear-guard recently (44 conceded), including the signing of someone probably familiar to Longmead regulars. Ugo Udoji signed from Eastbourne Borough, making his debut in the 4-2 win at Lowestoft at the end of last month.

The defender spent a period on loan at Tonbridge, during a career which has involved clinching the National South championship while at Bromley and Salisbury. Other clubs the 29 year-old appeared for include Ebbsfleet, Havant & Waterlooville, Bishop’s Stortford and Maidenhead. In Berkshire, he played under his latest boss.

There have been injury problems involving key figures at Wheatsheaf Park with Tommy Brewer and Ben Martin both requiring attention. The arrival of Udoji is seen as a way of tackling an area that needs bolstering.

Like many managers, the man nicknamed ‘Drax’, often signs players he knows, or from previous clubs, and recruitment includes personnel that have been at Maidenhead United in the past. The current Staines’ chief was previously in charge of the Magpies, guiding them to a sixth place finish in Conference South one year. The faithful at York Road also enjoyed the experience of a First Round Proper tie in the FA Cup during his tenure.
(Alan Devonshire improved on that last term with a title triumph, securing a place in the National South for 2017/18).

Back in Middlesex, Hippolyte has been building his own side following appointment in February 2016. The Swans were struggling in deep water around the drop zone at the time, not long after plunging from National South.

A fruitful summer landed several key individuals, such as hotshot Elliott Buchanan, plus fellow forward Lewis Driver.

‘Drax’ possibly had an eye on the future when signing promising 19 year-old midfielder Joash Nembhard. That said, he is a regular first teamer for the promotion chasing side.

Another close-season addition for 2017/18 was Josh Webb, the 27 year-old son of ex-England international Neil. The defender/midfielder boasts a lengthy list of mainly higher division semi-professional outfits, but Bostik Premier counterparts Harrow were the most recent.

Subsequent strengthening led to the acquisition of the vastly-experienced Sam Hutton, with the AFC Wimbledon appearance-record-holder signing in November. The current captain has a long and impressive CV and the previous employers were Hemel Hempstead Town, members of the Vanarama South.

The squad is now packed with quality and a number of players have performed regularly in the top two divisions of non-league football. Examples include a midfielder/defender who has enjoyed success with Wimbledon, Aldershot and Grimsby and a striker with a prolific record wherever he has been.

The latter has already smashed the 20-plus mark this term, netting a brace and a hat-trick in two recent consecutive outings. Staines won both matches, against Lowestoft (January 27) and Merstham by 4-2 (February 3). And an attacking partner, also on target during those games, is fast approaching 20 goals.

So, in theory, the visitors should provide a scintillating spectacle for spectators – that assertion probably puts the kybosh on that!

Earlier in the season, when the two teams met on November 11, Hippolyte masterminded a 3-1 victory from his acolytes.

On Saturday, the Angels lost their third match on the trot, when Needham Market inflicted 2-4 woe in Suffolk.

The Bostik Premier match between Tonbridge and Staines Town on Saturday February 10, at Longmead Stadium, is a 3pm kick-off.