BASINGSTOKE Town will be looking to move clear of the Blue Square Bet South relegation zone by recording their third successive victory at the Camrose on Saturday.
Wins over Farnborough and Bath City have moved Jason Bristow’s team out of the drop zone – but only goal difference separates them from the bottom three in what is a very congested division.
Before last night’s game between Boreham Wood and Maidenhead, there were just six points between Farnborough, in seventh place, and Dorchester, who are 21st, with just stricken Truro below them.
With so many sides jostling for position, a couple more good results could give Town some breathing space – but defeat at home to Staines Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) might see them drop back into the relegation zone.
Manager Bristow said: “We need to keep this run going. We have had a couple of results now and it’s important that we do not let that slip.
“A couple more wins could put us in the picture further up the table but a couple of defeats and we will be back in trouble.
“It is very tight in there and it’s going to be like that until the last day of the season. The performance over the last game-and-a-half has been excellent and hopefully we can build on that.”
Basingstoke had to come from behind to beat both Farnborough and Bath, meaning they have gained 12 points from losing positions so far this season.
That is a good sign – but Bristow wants to see his side take an early lead and go on to win without so much drama.
“Last season there were very few occasions where we came from behind to win games so it is good that we seem to be able to do that now,” he said. “We need to stop putting ourselves in that position though because some teams are capable of shutting games down and making it difficult. It would be great to win a game 1-0.”
Saturday’s opponents will be full of confidence after snapping a nine game winless run with a shock victory away at high-flying Dover Athletic on Saturday.
“Staines have been flying at some points but not doing so well at others,” Bristow added. “It’s going to be tough but we are at home so we will make the running and hope to pick up three more points.”
Town are waiting on the fitness of Rob Rice, who has a calf injury, while fellow full-back Ben Jefford remains out due to a shin problem. Midfielder Callum McNish has left the club but Jide Ogunbote is said to be close to a return after almost eight months out with a leg injury.
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