After two home games in the last week, Bideford are back on the road this Saturday as they take on Basingstoke Town. Basingstoke have had a tough few years with two relegations and also being forced to play their home games 20 miles away in Winchester. This season has also been a struggle for the Dragons who are currently in 19th position in Division One South, three points above Barnstaple Town. Basingstoke have lost their last five games in all competitions including last week’s 8-0 hammering at league leaders Frome Town. Their last win in the league came at home to Melksham Town back in October. Bideford had been on a dreadful run themselves but have managed to pick up four points from their last two games thanks to a win over Cirencester Town and a draw with Evesham United. The Robins must now turn their attention to improving their away form having lost their last seven away fixtures. Their only away win this season came at Cribbs in the FA Cup back in August and only a single point has been gained away from home in the league.

Form Guide

Basingstoke Town’s last six (WLLLLL) Pos 19th W2 D3 L9 Pts 9
30/11/19 Frome Town 8 Basingstoke Town 0 (League)
23/11/19 Basingstoke Town 1 Bristol Manor Farm 3 (League)
16/11/19 Willand Rovers 4 Basingstoke Town 1 (League)
02/11/19 Paulton Rovers 4 Basingstoke Town 2 (League)
26/10/19 Melksham Town 1 Basingstoke Town 0 (FA Trophy Q1)
19/10/19 Basingstoke Town 4 Melksham Town 2 (League)

Bideford’s last six (LLLLWD) Pos 14th W4 D2 L7 Pts 14
03/12/19 Bideford 2 Evesham United 2 (League)
30/11/19 Bideford 3 Cirencester Town 0 (League)
09/11/19 Mangotsfield United 4 Bideford 2 (League)
19/10/19 Sholing 3 Bideford 2 (League)
15/10/19 Bideford 0 Bristol Manor Farm 2 (League)
12/10/19 Frome Town 2 Bideford 1 (FA Trophy PR)

A Brief History of Basingstoke Town FC
Basingstoke Town FC were formed in 1896 by way of a merger between Aldworth United and Basingstoke Albion. Basingstoke Town joined the Hampshire League in 1901 and became North Division champions in 1911/12 and again in 1919/20. Following a league restructure in 1929 the club joined Hampshire League Division One and won the league title three times in 1967/68, 1969/70 and 1970/71. Basingstoke then joined Southern League Division One South until becoming champions in 1984/85. After spending two seasons in the Premier Division the club transferred over to the Isthmian League Premier Division. Basingstoke were relegated to Division One in 1988 but finished as runners-up in 1989 for an immediate return. Another relegated came in 1994 but was soon followed by another promotion in 1997. Seven years later Basingstoke were placed in the new Conference South (later renamed National League South) where they played for twelve seasons with a club high finish of third in 2014/15. The club have also reached the second round proper of the FA Cup three times in 1989/90, 1997/98 and 2006/07 where they were knocked out by Torquay United, Northampton Town and Aldershot Town respectively. Basingstoke were relegated to the Southern League Premier Division in 2016 and relegated to Division One South in 2019. They currently play their football at The City Ground in Winchester.

Basingstoke Town FC
The City Ground
Hillier Way
Abbots Barton
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 7SR
Website: https://btfc.co.uk
Twitter: @Basingstoke_FC

Most recent meetings:
2001/02 Basingstoke Town 3 Bideford 1 (FA Cup Q3)