In these match previews for this campaign, we’ve often mentioned the inconsistency of teams. Saturday’s visitors, Dan Brownlie’s Dragons, are a prime example of that as they’ve steamed, stalled, and struggled through the season. They began like an express train with a ten game unbeaten run which saw them sitting as high as second in the embryonic league table; this was followed by a frustrating eight game winless run which was ended with a 2-1 win over The Magpies at Winklebury in December when two goals in seven second-half minutes by Ball and Brown cancelled out Josh Carmichael’s seventh minute opener. Since they defeated Winchester 2-0 three months ago, their 13 league games have seen them win one, draw four and lose eight.

All this leaves Basingstoke uncomfortably in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone, with a W9 D14 L15 GF 54 GA 59 record; on their travels it’s W4 D9 L6 – yes, that’s just six defeats in 19 games – impressive. In the current form table (last six games) only Supermarine and Marlow have picked up fewer points. The Dragons’ recent record is: a 5-0 win at Tiverton; a 3-1 home defeat by Chertsey; a 2-2 draw at Sholing; a 1-0 home loss to Frome; an excellent 1-1 draw at Walton & Hersham; and on Saturday, a 1-0 home loss to Gosport. You’ll notice that none of those was an away defeat. And in February they were denied victory at table-toppers Merthyr by an equaliser in added-on time. Malachi Ogunleye (on loan from AFCB) and Josh Green are recent midfield signings.

In comparison, Tim’s team found real consistency with a 10-game unbeaten run which allayed any lingering relegation fears, and lifted them into the top half of the table. Their last six results have been: that remarkable 3-1 home win over Totton, a goal-less draw at Supermarine, a 1-0 home victory over Plymouth Parkway, a 1-0 aerial bombardment win at Frome, a 1-1 draw at Gosport, and Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Walton & Hersham after another Shuey goal gave us the lead. This leaves Tim’s team sixth in the current form table. At The Wyatt Homes Stadium, after drawing 1-1 with Merthyr, Wimborne have won their last four to give them a W10 D4 L5 home record. And in the table that matters, Wimborne are ninth with a symmetrical W14 D10 L14 GF 46 GA 52 record.

The only other season when the two teams were in the same division was 2018-19 in Premier South. After The Dragons had completed the double over The Magpies, 4-2 at Cuthbury, and 3-2 at The Camrose, Basingstoke lost out in the final day scramble of seven teams to slip to the third relegation spot. Wimborne finished six places higher but with only three points more. The teams also met in the FA Trophy that season with Basingstoke again winning – 4-2. Before this season’s reverse fixture, the only other meeting between the teams was in the FA Cup in 2021 at Winklebury when James Stokoe’s team won 4-3.

Both teams have four games remaining to complete the season. Basingstoke, with home games against the top two to come, need something from this game to help pull them away from the relegation scrap. Wimborne will want to keep their good recent form going in front of their fans. The school holidays have started, and the weather is set fair. So come on down to the Wyatt Homes Stadium for our penultimate home game of the season which has all the ingredients to be a cracker. After all, it’s what Saturday afternoons were made for.

Before the match we’ll be remembering Club stalwart Dave Briggs, who filmed our games home and away for some 20 years, after whom our media tower is named, and who sadly passed away last month.

There’s reasonable parking at the ground in Ainsley Road BH21 2FU, but if you do decide to travel by car and park on the nearby streets, please do so respectfully to our neighbours.

The Morebus no.13 runs along Leigh Road from and to The Square in the town centre with stops at the bottom of Parmiter Road, a fve-minute stroll from the ground.

There is a bike park to the left of the players’ entrance.

Admission: adults £14, concessions £8, U18s £5, U13s £2.

Average att: 729

A packed printed programme will be on sale.

Weather forecast: sunny intervals; 16oC; 10% chance of rain.