Teamwork the key as Basingstoke Town aim to bounce back (From This is Hampshire)

Teamwork the key as Basingstoke Town aim to bounce back

1:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Hampshire Sport By John Boyman

BASINGSTOKE Town manager Jason Bristow says his side must start playing as a team if they are to turn around their poor form.

The Camrose Club went down to a third successive league defeat on Tuesday night, losing 2-0 away at Staines Town. They have now gone 315 minutes without scoring a goal in the Blue Square Bet South – and Bristow says the players need to perform better as a unit.

“We were more like a group of individuals than a team,” he said after the defeat at Staines. “In the past, when we have had success it is because we have played hard as a team.

“There were too many players not firing tonight. You can get away with one or two but when you have four or five not on their game you have got problems.

“It’s hard to put your finger on why that is but it’s something that needs to change soon.

“Our final ball was not good enough tonight. We created chances to make something happen but we never really looked like scoring.”

Next up for Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) is a trip to Billericay, who are unbeaten at home and have won their last three outings.

“We have got to put tonight behind us and try to pick up three points but it will be tough on Saturday,” Bristow said. “Billericay are a physical, workman-like side who score a lot of goals.

“We need to go up there and put in a big effort if we are going to come back with something from the game.”

Bristow will be without the suspended Nathan Smart, while Stuart Lake and Jide Ogunbote remain sidelined by injury. Jordace Holder-Spooner is also a doubt for the trip to Essex after lasting just 11 minutes of the game at Staines before breaking down with a hamstring problem.

Basingstoke will travel to Blue Square Bet South rivals Dorchester Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup next weekend – a difficult tie against a side who have made a fine start to the season.

“The draw could have been better, but it also could have been worse,” Bristow said. “We know Dorchester and what they are about, so in that respect it is not a bad draw. They are going well at the moment but things change quickly.”