Southern League Premier South Division – Saturday 17th August 2024
Basingstoke Town 2 v 0 Dorchester Town Attendance 694
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
With a couple of changes, Dan Brownlie went with a starting line-up of: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Curtis Angell, 4. Rudy Allen, 5. William Upton (Capt), 6. James Clark, 7. Paul Hodges, 8. Max Smith, 10. Liam Ferdinand, 12. Paul Hodges, 11. George Reid
On the bench: 9. Nnamdi Nwachuku, 14. Simon Dunn, 15. Ben Cook, 16. Alfie Bridgman & 17. Luis Le Paih
Referee – Anthony Cross
With Stoke attacking the car-park end in the first-half, we traded attacks in the first few minutes, but neither attempt troubled either keeper.
In the twelfth minute, good work from Liam Ferdinand sets-up Paul Hodges, but the shot lacked power and the Dorchester keeper made a comfortable save.
The game hits the twenty-minute mark, and there’s still very little goalmouth action from either side.
Billy Upton then wins the ball twice in the air, firstly heading the ball out for a corner, and then heading the ball clear from the corner-kick.
Just past the half-hour mark, we break through George Reid, but again the finish lacked power.
Now in the final five minutes of the first-half, Rudy Allen receives the ball in the middle of the pitch, takes a couple of touches and then let’s fly shot that is wide of the left-hand post.
Dorchester have one more attack, but the final shot is saved by Simon Grant in goal.
The referee play three minutes of added-time, before blowing for halftime.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 0 v 0 Dorchester Town
The second-half gets underway with no changes by Stoke and with us attacking the railway-end.
We win a corner on the right, and the kick finds Ferdinand beyond the far post, and he turns and curls a shot through a crowd of players into the top right-hand corner of the net GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 v 0 Dorchester Town (Ferdinand 49 mins).
On the hour mark we attack again through Robbie Gallagher, who sets up Hodges, but his shot is well-saved by the Dorchester keeper.
A minute later the visitors have their most dangerous attack of the game, as a shot from inside the penalty area hits the woodwork and we are able to clear the rebound.
We make our first changes of the day with George Reid replaced by Alfie Bridgman & Liam Ferdinand replaced by Nnamdi Nwachuku (66 mins).
One of the biggest cheers of the game, is when the Dorchester keeper from a dead-ball kick, hooks the ball thirty yards and straight out of play.
Dorchester has a little more possession, but the Stoke side are blocking and winning tackles across the pitch.
It’s time for another Stoke change with Max Smith replaced by Simon Dunn (72 mins).
Robbie Gallagher does some nice work on the wing, but the cross is overhit.
Stoke make their fourth change with Paul Hodges replaced by Ben Cook (76 mins).
Dorchester have another good chance but the shot from their striker is dragged wide past the left-hand post.
We make our final change of the game, with Robbie Gallagher replaced by Luis Le Paih (80 mins).
A nice passing move between Le Paih, Allen & Bridgman, ends with his shot blocked out for a corner. Dorchester deal with the corner-kick.
With five minutes left, we attack again winning a corner on the left. Le Paih is up for the kick, but his header is wide of the right-hand post.
Then in final minute of normal time, the ball is slipped through to Nwachuku, who breaks clear and comfortably slots the ball past the Dorchester keeper and into the net. GOAL!! Basingstoke Town 2 v 0 Dorchester Town (Nwachuku 90 mins).
The referee confirms a minimum of six added-minutes will be played, but Stoke are on course for another three-points, as the Stoke fans sing “We’re top of the league”, behind the goal.
The six minutes are played out with ease, and the referee blows the final whistle.
Full-time Score: Basingstoke Town 2 v 0 Dorchester Town
Ferdinand 49 mins, Nwachuku 90 mins,
Match Thought’s
We sit top of the table, after three games, and with two clean sheets in our last two games, the positivity around the squad and supporters alike is sky-high.
With Dan Warre absent, it was good to see both Liam Ferdinand with a cracking finish, and Nnamdi Nwachuku’s confident finish.
Again another strong battling performance by the whole Stoke side, against a competitive Dorchester Town team.
Up Next:
With us sitting top of the table we now travel to Gosport Borough currently set for next Saturday (24th) 3pm.
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 
Strong performance by Basingstoke in a very competitive match.