St Ives Town are back on the road on Saturday as they make the trip to Basford United.
It will be seven days since the Ives had their last outing, and that was a 1-1 draw at home to Barwell. Ives skipper Michael Richens rescued a point for his team with a last gasp 30 yard bullet of an equaliser.
It’s been a difficult period for the Ives with illness and injury and tomorrow they will be without Ed Hottor who starts a two game suspension. On the plus side, Nabil Shariff will return after being suspended last week. There is also an injury doubt over Charlie Johnston. Ives manager Ricky Marheineke is also monitoring the fitness of goalkeeper James Dadge who missed out last week after injuring his hand in the previous match at Coalville. If he doesn’t make it, then James Goff will continue to deputise.
INTRODUCING BASFORD
Basford currently sit in 15th position in the table, three places below the Ives and have 39 points from their 31 played. They go into the game with indifferent form having won just once from the last six games. That came against Stourbridge on 4th February. Since then there have been draws against Bromsgrove and Hednesford and defeats against Mickleover and Alvechurch. Overall, it’s been a disappointing second half of the season for the hosts as they were in around seventh for most of the opening months of the campaign.
THE REVERSE FIXTURE
The reverse fixture back in October was an entertaining 2-2 draw. The Ives took the lead through Jonny Edwards. But the visitors hit back with two quick second half goals and looked to be on course for three points on the road. However, the hosts were awarded a last gasp penalty and Edwards stepped up to covert his second of the game and ensured his side took a share of the points.
GOING TO THE GAME:
Basford United FC
Greenwich Avenue
Basford
NOTTINGHAM
NG6 0LD
If you are not going to the game, then there will be the usual updates on social media throughout the afternoon with highlights on the club YouTube channel over the weekend together with a full match report on the official website.
RESERVE TEAM IN SEMI FINAL ACTION
If you are not going to Basford and are looking for an Ives football fix this weekend then a reminder that the reserves are in action at home to Warboys Town in the semi-final of the Hunts Intermediate Cup. Kick-off at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road is at 2:00pm.