2025-26 Hampshire Snr Cup Final – Tuesday 21st April 2026
Basingstoke Town 2 vs 0 Sholing Attendance 543
Venue: Snows Stadium, Totton, Hants
Manager Dan Brownlie’s starting line-up for the Cup Final was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Elliott Legg, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Robbie Gallagher, 8. Josh Green, 9. George Reid, 10.Joe Grant, 11.Ore Bello,
On the bench: 12. Dan Rowe, 14. D’Andre Brown, 15. Charlie North, 16. Lloyd Snell, 17. James Clark
Referee – Kai Morgan
With the sunsetting behind the nearby trees, and with Basingstoke having already beaten Sholing twice in the league this season, this third meeting in the Hants Snr Cup Final got underway, and it was a quiet start with th first notable attack from Sholing, but Jack Ball’s timely interception, put an end to that.
Stoke had a call for a penalty when George Reid appeared to get dragged down, but the referee waived this one away.
Sholing had two quick attacks, but Simon Grant made the saves.
Then just past twenty minutes, Robbie Gallagher get pulled down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The Sholing keeper got a strong hand to the ball, but could not prevent it going into the net GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Sholing (Bello 23 min Pen)
Both teams continued to push forward, but could not put anything on either goal, as we headed to the last ten minutes of the half.
In added-time, Sholing made another save down low at the left-hand post.
We go into the break with the lead, and one hand on the cup.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Sholing
Stoke made a change at halftime, with Robbie Gallagher replaced by Lloyd Snell.
The second-half got underway, with Stoke showing more purpose, pushing forward but Sholing’s defence held firm.
Just before the hour-mark, Sholing looked to have scored, but Jack Ball on the line, somehow hooked it clear.
Despite our good play the chances came at the other end, as Sholing had the chance to level, but a one-on-one with Simon Grant, saw Grant the victor, as he made a block down low.
Sholing were made to pay for the miss, as two minutes Stoke broke into the Sholing half, setting up Ore Bello, who touch, then shot was save by the keeper, who could only pass back into Bello’s path, who made no mistake slotting the ball home with his left-foot GOAL!! Basingstoke Town 2 – 0 Sholing (Bello 63 mins)
Stoke continued to push forward, but failed to put anything on the Sholing goal.
With twenty-minutes remaining, Stoke made its second-change with Elliott Legg replaced by James Clark (70 mins).
Sholing still pushed for a goal, but Joe O’Loughlin was able to hack the clear, close to the goal-line.
Stoke made its third change as George Reid was replaced by D’Andre Brown (81 mins).
Very little goalmouth action, and Stoke made its fourth change, as Ore Bello was replaced by Dan Rowe (84 mins).
A minute later Stoke came inches away from adding their third, as a good passing move, set-up Joe Grant, but his shot Curled just round the post, hitting the side netting.
On ninety-minutes we attacked again, feeding Dan Rowe the ball, but his shot was blocked out for a corner.
Stoke continued to look for the third, and Joe Grant, battled his way past two players, including picking himself to pass the ball to Snell, who was tackled by a Sholing defender.
Then in the fourth minute of added-time, Stoke made its final change as Josh Green was replaced by Charlie North (94 mins).
Two minutes later, the referee had seen enough, and blew the final whistle, and Stoke will lift the cup.
Fulltime Score: Basingstoke Town 2 vs 0 Sholing
Bello 23 min (Pen) & 63 mins,
Match Thoughts
A strong all-round performance and deserved victory, give us some silverware for this season. Bello’s double gives him seven for the season.
‘Champions of Hampshire we know what we are’
Up Next
Our last league game of the season, has us on the road at Hanwell Town Saturday 25th April KO 3pm
Match Report by Martin French..
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