Southern League Premier South – Saturday 20th September 2025
Basingstoke Town 1 vs 3 Havant & Waterlooville Attendance 732
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Manager Dan Brownlie’s line-up for today’s game was: 1. Max Evans, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Robbie Gallagher, 8. Josh Green, 9. Liam Ferdinand, 10. Ben Cook, 11. James Dickson
On the bench: 12. Bradley Wilson, 14. Ben Jefford. 15. Connor Barratt, 16. D’Andre Brown & 17. James Clark
Referee – Adam Steele
With just one point separating the two teams in the league, the game got underway with Stoke attacking the car-park end in the first half, and Stoke’s first attack was in the fourth minute, as Robbie Gallagher broke down the right, but there was no-one to meet his cross.
In the eighth minute, Liam Ferdinand with his back to the goal, turned and hit a shot that flew wide.
Havant started to come into the game, but failed to put anything of note on the Stoke goal, as we hit the twenty minute mark.
Stoke’s next half chance came when James Dickson found, Scott Armsworth but his hooked shot flew over the bar.
Havant’s first chance came from a free-kick as it was around the wall, but Max Evans was quickly over and made a good save, palming the ball away.
Armsworth then made two good defensive headers from Havant attacks, and then from another clip over Stoke’s back four, he made a vital interception, as a Havant forward was about to shoot.
Havant broke clear once more on the right, but a mix up at the back, saw Armsworth turn the ball past our keeper into the net. Basingstoke 0-1 Havant & Waterlooville
Havant then doubled their lead, as from another chip over our back four, their star striker Ryan Seager, clipped the ball over the oncoming keeper, and it found the net. Basingstoke 0-2 Havant & Waterlooville
Like buses, Havant then added a third ninety seconds later, as Seager scored his second. Basingstoke 0-3 Havant & Waterlooville
With many Stoke fans heading to the bar for halftime, Stoke pulled a goal back, as Ben Cook neatly finished GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 3 Havant & Waterlooville (Cook 44 mins)
Havant came close to making it four in added-time, but the shot rolled wide of the left-hand post.
Stoke went into the break with a lot to do in the second-half.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 3 Havant & Waterlooville
With the rain coming down, the second-half got underway, with little to note until just before the hour mark, but again good work from Gallagher & O’Loughlin goes to waste, as we can’t put a shot on target.
Havant looked like they made it four, as a rebounded shot from an amazing Evans save found the net, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside.
Stoke then made their first changes of the day as Bradley Wilson replaced Scott Armsworth & D’Andre Brown replaced Ben Cook (63 mins).
Within a minute, Wilson cut inside on his right, on the edge of the penalty area, and hit a shot that flew inches wide of the far post.
Billy Upton then headed harmlessly over the bar from a Stoke free-kick.
Stoke made their third change as Connor Barratt replaced James Dickson (72 mins).
Upton then made a fine interception, blocking the ball out for a corner from a dangerous Havant attack.
Stoke made its fourth change as Ben Jefford replaced Joe O’Loughlin (77mins).
Unfortunately Jefford’s return was cut short, as he appeared to pick up a nasty injury and was replaced by James Clark (79 mins).
No sign of any Stoke comeback, not helped by a decent free-kick from Barratt, but a Havant defender is not challenged and allowed a free-headed clearance.
The referee announced six minutes of added-time, but apart from one attack, which went wide, it was a goalless second-half, and we went down to another defeat.
Final Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 3 Havant & Waterlooville
Cook 41 mins Armsworth OG 34 mins, Seager 39 & 41mins
Match Thought’s
Another home loss to a team that are not the best, but know how to find the net. Would it have been different if that first own goal had not happened?
Charlie Austin out for an undetermined time, we need to find goals from somewhere.
I know it’s early in the season, but is Yate Town a must win three points Tuesday.
Up Next:
In 48 hours-time, we host newly promoted Yate Town (Tuesday 27th) KO 7.45pm
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
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