Tough FA Trophy test for Moneyfields against vastly-improved Basingstoke Town

Steve Hutchings has already scored 10 goals for Moneyfields this season. Picture: Martyn White.

It is another tough proposition for the home side as their Hampshire rivals are currently top of the Southern League Division 1 South table.

They also arrive on the south coast on the back of an impressive 6-3 win at Cinderford - the second time they have netted half-a-dozen goals on their travels in 2020/21.

'We will need to be a lot tighter defensively,' said Carter.

'Basingstoke have scored 18 goals in five league games so will pose a big threat.

'Our defence has been good for long periods in games but then we have suffered from lapses in concentration.

'We have got some new faces at the back and it takes time to bed in.

'We have to make sure that we keep a better line.

'Against Bournemouth under 21s in midweek we showed a lot of grit and determination to stay in the game.

'It will need to be more of the same for this tie.

'We just have to make sure that we stay on our toes.'

Moneyfields are scoring goals and the likes of 10-goal Steve Hutchings, Kieran Roberts and Joe Briggs have the capability to hurt Basingstoke.

Hutchings and Briggs were on target against Bournemouth in a 3-2 Hampshire Senior Cup semi-final loss.

The ability of George Barker and Marley Ridge can also play an influential role.

Barker came off at half-time against the Cherries youngsters, but that was mainly a precautionary move.

Ridge is the workhorse in the side, but he also showed in midweek he can get into good positions going forward - Moneys’ best two chances of the first half fell to him.

'The FA Trophy is a competition we treat seriously,' said Carter.

'You can win over £2,000 for getting to the next round and that is useful finance to a club like ours.

'After this we have a break for eleven days so we don't want to be dwelling on a defeat in that period.

'I have a full squad to choose from which is a good thing.'

Basingstoke’s current form is in total contrast to last term.

Last season they were second bottom of the Southern League Division 1 table when life went into lockdown.

They won only five times in 27 league games, collecting just 18 points - and were facing a potential third relegation in five seasons.

In a remarkable turnaround, they are currently top after four wins and a draw in their first five matches.

They came from 0-3 down at half-time to win 6-3 at Slimbridge in the first game and beat Cinderford by the same score last weekend.

Cinderford beat Moneys 2-1 on the opening day of the season in Gloucestershire.

Striker George Hallahan, a Wessex League regular in recent years for Andover Town, Tadley and Alresford, is top scorer so far with five goals.