What Baffins Milton Rovers require to become serious Wessex Premier title contenders as they begin second half of campaign at Hamble

Baffins Milton Rovers manager Shaun Wikinson says there's 'no real room for error' left in his side's Wessex League Premier Division title quest.
Harry Sargeant, right, serves a one-match suspension this weekend. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 180821-29)Harry Sargeant, right, serves a one-match suspension this weekend. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 180821-29)
Harry Sargeant, right, serves a one-match suspension this weekend. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 180821-29)

Baffins have won their previous four Wessex Premier matches, including inflicting a first defeat on Hamworthy, and head to Hamble in the league on Saturday.

Wilkinson's third-placed side are in prime position at present, five points off leaders Horndean with two games in hand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the Baffins boss stressed his side must eclipse their efforts in the first half of the season - collecting 45 points in the opening 20 matches - if they want to push themselves into the title equation come the end of this campaign.

Wilkinson said: ‘We’re literally at the halfway point, we’ve played 20 games and got 45 points, so it’s a good return and we’re starting to get the business end now.

‘I’ve said it before, there’s no real room for error, it’s probably who maintains their form is going to have a successful season.

‘We’ve probably got to better it (first half of the season points total), to be honest. I don’t think 90 points would be enough to win it (the title). You’ve got to be looking at 97 or 98 (points) around about there, which is a big ask.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Obviously even teams like as far down as Moneyfields, they’ll start to gather a bit of momentum, Shaftesbury have come good, AFC Stoneham are on a great run.

‘We’re on the back of four straight wins so if we can come out the next three games with positive results, again, we just want to keep that momentum and run going.’

Baffins could be making the trip to 15th-placed Hamble with just 14 senior players.

Alex Prezespolewski is definitely out as he continues his recovery after recently contracting Covid-19 while midfielder Harry Sargeant serves a one-game suspension.

Wilkinson is hoping goalkeeper Konrad Szymaniak will be fit in time to face Hamble but Baffins have been boosted with the return of Tommy Scutt to training this week.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.