Pete Stiles calls for Fareham response ahead of 'tough' trip to Bashley

Pete Stiles wants Fareham Town to show some bouncebackability as they travel to Bashley in the Wessex Premier.
Fareham will be without Luke Slade. Picture: Keith Woodland (261019-99)Fareham will be without Luke Slade. Picture: Keith Woodland (261019-99)
Fareham will be without Luke Slade. Picture: Keith Woodland (261019-99)

The Reds’ run of three straight league wins was ended with a 4-0 beating at Hamworthy on Tuesday.

‘I am expecting a very tough game,’ said Stiles.

‘Bashley had a very good (Southampton Senior Cup) win against Sholing in midweek and have picked up.

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‘Although we beat them quite convincingly at our place earlier in the season, this will be very different.

‘To be fair, it has been a happy hunting ground for us in the past.

‘A mixture of things went wrong for us at Hamworthy.

‘We were without five players who would normally start and a few of our party didn't arrive until 25 minutes before kick-off.

‘Although we did okay in the first half, we then made some stupid errors and got punished for them.

‘We certainly didn't deserve to lose by four goals.

‘It is important that we get ourselves back on track.’

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The visitors are still without the suspended Connor Messenbird, Luke Slade is unavailable and Matt Simm (hamstring) remains a doubt.

Fareham boss Stiles has his sights set on a top-six finish, insisting: ‘A couple of wins will put us right up in it,’ added Stiles.

‘We still have a few games in hand and have to play a number of teams in and around us in the table.

‘Now is the time to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in.

‘This season it has been more the case of who to leave out rather than who to pick.

‘Keeping everyone happy and match fit is the biggest problem.

‘It is important we get something this weekend.

‘It is still very much in our own hands as to how high we can finish.’

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