Thursday, 12 October 2023

BOTTOM OF THE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION - THE SEASON SO FAR


Binfield currently occupy the bottom spot in The Pitching In Isthmian South Central Division but only by goal difference from Corinthian-Casuals and Guernsey. 

The Moles, managed by former Hayes & Yeading boss Garry Haylock, are yet to record a win in their eight league games so far. Their only win came in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at local rival's Wokingham & Emmbrook in front of a crowd of 604 people. They drew 2-2 in the next round at home to  Northwood before losing the replay 1-0. They lost in the FA Trophy to Ashford United 7-1 and lost their last league game 7-2 at Westfield. 

Former Hampton & Richmond Borough striker Dontaye Whittaker has started the season well for Binfield  scoring 5 goals in 11 league and cup game. He was born in Jamacia and started his career playing for a number of clubs in the lower leagues in Portugal. 

Binfield's three points have been picked up in home draws against Chipstead, Chertsey Town and Met Police which all ended 1-1. 

They were promoted from the Hellenic Premier in 2021 based on their position/ppg in the two abandoned seasons of 19/20 (2nd place) and 20/21 (2nd). Since promotion to Step Four they have finished in 8th and 6th positions where they missed out of the play-offs by just one place. 

The FA Vase finalists of 2021 next fixtures are at home to Hartley Wintney and then a huge game away at Corinthian-Casuals.  

The Casuals were relegated from the Premier Division last season and have also made a disappointing start of the season. They lost six and won just one of their seven league game - their victory came against fellow struggler's Metropolitan Police. 

Guernsey who came into non-league football in 2011 and were subject to two promotions in as many seasons winning the Combined Counties Division One and finishing as runner's up in the Premier Division. The Green Lions went close to another promotion in their third season losing in the Division One South play-off semi-final to Leatherhead. They have finished in 14th and 15th positions in the South-Central Division in the last two seasons. 

It has been announced that they will move from their Footes Lane home in 2025 to a new ground at Victoria Avenue which will include a 3G pitch, 400 seat stand and terracing behind both goals along with a new clubhouse. 

They have played 8 league games with 1 win and 7 defeats. The win came on the opening day of the season by way of 3-1 home victory over Westfield. 

Tony Vance's side get a chance to halt their miserable run of form this Saturday with a home game against Ashford Town (Middx) who are currently in thirteenth place with two wins from seven league games. 

It's a real transitional season for Metropolitan Police who took voluntary relegation from Step Three at the end of the 22/23 season. Suj Khera and Scott Kemp are the new management team and have a completely new squad for this season. On a positive note they are currently four games unbeaten with a 4-0 home win over Chipstead in the league and a 2-0 win over Woodford Town in the London Senior Cup followed by a 1-0 and a 0-0 draw in the league against Binfield and Uxbridge. 

Their next two games at very tough with a home fixture to Chertsey Town who are currently in second place and an away trip to Raynes Park Vale who are currently top of the table. 

Next up are Northwood who finished in fifth place last season losing to Walton & Hersham in the play-off semi-final. 

Andrew McCorkell,Teddy Stacey, Carl Stewart, Romario Jonas, Osaretin Otote and Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway remaing in their last starting line up (a home defeat to Marlow) from the starting XI against The Swans in the play-off game. 

Head coach Ben Bukowski and Director of Football Steve Ringrose will certainly know they don't become a bad team overnight - I'm sure The Woods will move up the table sooner rather than later. 

There is no better place to start than on Saturday when they travel to play table topper's Raynes Park Vale!

Ascot United are playing in the Isthmian League for the first time in their history had a superb season in 22/23 winning the Combined Counties League Premier North and the Isuzu FA Vase. 

I think they will finish much higher than their current positition. They have only played five league games due to their FA Cup run where they beat Ardley United (after a replay), Mangotsfield United and Westfield before losing at home to Premier Division side Lewes in the Second Qualifying Round. They also Hordean and Lancing in the FA Trophy before losing to another Premier Division in Whitehawk at the weekend. 

The Yellas host Hanworth Villa (13th) this weekend before a midweek trip to 14th place Ashford Town (Middx) - Don't be surprised to see them pick up at least four points from these two games. 


FORTHCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE CURRENT BOTTOM SIX
SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 
ASCOT UNITED v HANWORTH VILLA
BINFIELD v HARTLEY WINTNEY 
CHERTSEY TOWN v MET POLICE  
GUERNSEY v ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDX) 
RAYNES PARK VALE v NORTHWOOD 
THATCHAM TOWN v CORINTHIAN-CASUALS


TUESDAY 17th OCTOBER 
ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDX) v ASCOT UNITED 
LEATHERHEAD v NORTHWOOD 

SATURDAY 21st OCTOBER 
CHIPSTEAD v ASCOT UNITED 
CORINTHIAN-CASUALS v BINFIELD 
HANWORTH VILLA v GUERNSEY 
MET POLICE v RAYNES PARK VALE 
NORTHWOOD v CHERTSEY TOWN 

TABLE USED COURTESY OF FOOTBALLWEBPAGES.CO.UK

No comments:

Post a Comment