Preview: In-form Tudors aiming to douse the Dragons’ fire

Hemel Hempstead Town host Basingstoke Town at Vauxhall Road tomorrow as Dean Brennan’s side look to maintain their impressive run of form.
Oliver Hawkins is enjoying an impressive run of form for the TudorsOliver Hawkins is enjoying an impressive run of form for the Tudors
Oliver Hawkins is enjoying an impressive run of form for the Tudors

The match is Hemel’s first home game in the league since October 18, when the Tudors drew 1-1 with title favourites Ebbsfleet United.

Hemel are without a league win at home so far this campaign, but they have not been beaten at Vauxhall Road in their last three Conference South fixtures and find themselves sitting 13th in the table.

Overall, the Tudors have won their last three consecutive games – all away from home – and are unbeaten since the first week of October when they went down to Gosport Borough.*

This is the second time this season that the Tudors have faced the Dragons; the opening day fixture was won 1-0 by Hemel courtesy of a Jordan Parkes free-kick.

Fourth-placed Basingstoke go in to tomorrow’s game on the back of a midweek FA Cup first round replay defeat at Telford United, were they were beaten 2-1.

In the league, Basingstoke have lost their last two consecutive games, against St Albans City and Chelmsford City.

Looking ahead at tomorrow’s clash, Tudors manager Dean Brennan said: “It’s another game we are really looking forward to.

“It’s another test tactically as Basingstoke play a counter-attacking style of football rather than our last three games where we played attack-minded teams.”

Hemel skipper Jordan Parkes added: “We are all looking forward to Basingstoke on Saturday and hopefully we can do the double over them this season.

“We just need to take our away form into home games now and get ourselves into those play-off positions.”

*Stats courtesy of Marc Willmore