Town seek first win

3:58pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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AFTER failing to win any of their opening seven Blue Square South outings this season, Basingstoke Town will be looking to secure three points at Bishop's Stortford.

Tuesday night's draw with Worcester City stretched Town's winless streak in the league to 22 games. Their last victory was on January 19, when they won 2-1 at Maidenhead United.

Since then, three managers have tried and failed to guide the club to a win, but Frank Gray, the latest of these, is determined not to put his side under extra pressure.

"We are making sure the players are relaxed and not putting too much pressure on them by saying that they must win games," he said.

"Of course we want to win every game but, once we get the first one under our belts, it will be a lot easier."

Tuesday's result ended a run of three defeats for Town, with the point they earned lifting them out of the relegation zone.

Gray is aware that Saturday's trip to Bishop's Stortford (3pm) will not be easy, but he hopes that midfielder Tom Williamson, who spent last season with the Hertfordshire club, could provide some inside knowledge.

Gray said: "Bishop's Stortford will look to play and we know a bit about them. Things have changed a bit over the summer but Tom Williamson will be able to tell us a bit more."

Stortford finished 10th in the Blue Square South last season but have lost striker Greg Pearson, the league's joint leading scorer in 2007-08 with 27 goals, who joined Burton Albion during the close season.

They have had a mixed start to the season and lost 2-0 at St Albans on Tuesday, a result that followed wins over Bognor and Thurrock.

The only player missing for Town will be left-winger Matt Warner, who is still out with an ankle injury.

David Tarpey, Jamie Lovegrove, Phil Ruggles and Sido Jombarti have all been asked to operate on the left in Warner's absence. None of them have been particularly impressive and Gray is on the lookout for cover in this area.