Match Preview - Basingstoke Town (H)
Dorchester Town welcome Basingstoke Town to the Avenue Stadium on Tuesday (7:45pm KO) in the first of two games that both teams will contest against one another in just a matter of days.
A testing start to the Magpies' season was made worse over the last week as Tom Killick's charges suffered consecutive 2-0 losses to Poole Town and Wimborne Town respectively.
Basingstoke, meanwhile, make the long midweek trip from Hampshire hoping to continue a run of recent results which has seen them record back-to-back wins over Chertsey Town and Gosport Borough.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the visit of Basingstoke.
Basingstoke In Brief
Founded: 1896
Nickname: The Stoke
Stadium: Winklebury Sports Complex
Capacity: 1,990
Playing Surface: Artificial
One To Watch
Basingstoke have already netted 21 goals in the Southern League Premier South this season, with Bradley Wilson, who currently leads their goalscoring charts, likely to be a key attacking outlet for the Stoke on Tuesday.
The Gaffer
Dan Brownlie has managed Basingstoke since 2019, overseeing a successful tenure at Winklebury. This includes securing promotion to Step Three, after winning the Isthmian League South Central Division title in the 2022/23 season.
Previous Meeting
Dorchester enjoyed a number of dramatic finishes to league games last season, with our 3-2 home victory over Basingstoke among the most memorable.
On a cold December's day it was Dorchester who took a 1-0 lead into the half time break, courtesy of a Luke Pardoe header. However, in the second half Basingstoke turned the match on its head, with a quickfire double through Luis Le Paih and a Jack Dickson own goal.
As the game approached the 90th minute it appeared the Stoke were going to leave the Avenue Stadium with all three points only for the Magpies to stage the most unlikely of comebacks.
First, Olaf Koszela brought Dorchester level from the penalty spot before Wayne Robinson converted from close range, in the 95th minute, to give his side a crucial win and send the home supporters rapturous.
You can read Neil Walton's full match report from that day here.
Wayne Robinson celebrates scoring an extra time winner versus Basingstoke last December | Credit: Phil Standfield
Form Guide
Magpies - LWWLL
Dorchester have recorded consecutive derby loses to Poole and Wimborne, with the Magpies' only current home league win this season coming last month against Yate Town.
Stoke - LWLWW
Basingstoke come into Tuesday's match in confident mood after back-to-back league wins over Chertsey and Gosport - the latter of which saw the Stoke come back from 3-2 down in the last ten minutes to take home all three points.
Magpies Mind-Boggler
1.) Tom Killick's first victory in charge of Dorchester came against Basingstoke in November 2023, but what was the score that day? Bonus point for each correct Dorchester goalscorer that you can name!
2.) Basingstoke are one of four Hampshire-based clubs currently playing in the Southern League Premier South. Can you name the other three?
See answers at the bottom of page
Team News
Dorchester will assess the fitness of both Luke Roberts and Jack Dickson ahead of Tuesday, with the former having been withdrawn early on during the loss to Wimborne due to injury. Killick otherwise has a fully fit squad to select from.
Admission Prices
Tickets for the visit of Basingstoke can be purchased in advance via the Fanbase app here. Prices are as follows:
Adults: £12 in advance online /£14 on the turnstiles
Concessions: £10 in advance online / £12 on the turnstiles
Students: £9 in advance online / £11 on the turnstiles
Aged 12 to 16: £4 in advance online / £6 on the turnstiles
Under 12s: £1 in advance online / £3 on the turnstiles
Travel Information
Full travel information on how to reach the Avenue Stadium can be found here.
Magpies Mind-Boggler Answers:
1.) 4-1. Jack Dickson, Ollie Haste & Shaquille Gwengwe (2)
2.) Gosport Borough, Havant & Waterlooville & Sholing
