Match Report: Basingstoke Town 2 – 1 Bracknell Town – Saturday 3rd January 2026

Southern League Premier South – Saturday 3rd January 2026
Basingstoke Town 2 vs 1 Bracknell Town Attendance 1,033
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Manager Dan Brownlie’s line-up for this first game of 2026 was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. James Clark, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Rudy Allen, 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Tom Blake, 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. Robbie Gallagher, 10. Joe Barough, 11. George Reid
On the bench: 12. Ore Bello, 14. Josh Green, 15. Ben Cook, 16. Conor Whiteley, 17. Elliott Legg,
Referee – Callum Parke

This partial rivalry match got underway, with the windchill factor bringing the game temperature to below zero, and it was noticeable in the opening minutes, that the ex-Stoke defender Marcus Johnson-Schuster, was not getting the best of welcomes, from the Stoke fans at the railway end.

Stoke’s first attack came in the fifth-minute, as George Reid went passed one defender before shooting from 25yds out, but his shot was comfortable held by the Bracknell keeper down low.

Stoke’s next attack came from deep in their own half as Rudy Allen, played a one-two with Reid just inside Bracknell’s half, allowing Allen time to send a 40yd crossfield pass to Tom Blake, who just back in on his right foot, then hit a right-foot shot that seemed to confuse the Bracknell keeper as it found the bottom of the left-hand net GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Bracknell Town (Blake 10 mins)

The visitors first attack was minutes later, but a shot was blocked by James Clark’s foot, and Stoke were able to clear.

One or two heavy tackles went in by both sides over the net couple of minutes, but the referee refused to go to his pocket for a card.

Stoke were still the team showing more adventure as we hit the twenty-minute mark, and it was Blakes shot from the left-hand penalty area, that forced the keeper to put it out for a corner. The kick was met by Upton’s head, but it lacked power and Bracknell were able to clear.

Half-hour in Bracknell had produced very little attacking threat.

Stoke’s next attack came from us playing out the back as Scott Armworth, found D’Andre Brown, who raced twenty yards, before sending an inch perfect pass allowing Joe O’Loughlin to meet the ball, sending a first-time low cross, along the face of the goal, which was met by a Bracknell defender who blocked the ball away.

Bracknell had a little possession and then won a corner a minute later, on the right. The corner-kick was met by a slow-motion free-header, as their player levelled the score, as he made no mistake in heading home. Basingstoke 1-1 Bracknell.

With three minutes to the break, Bracknell came close to taking the lead, as their No.9 was allowed to break free, and hit a shot from 25yds, that beat Simon Grant’s dive, but fortunately it clipped off the outside of the right-hand post, and out for a goal-kick.

Stoke had one more attack before the break, as O’Loughlin in an attacking position again, hit a shot that was blocked away.

The referee played just over four minute of added-time, and despite all that early possession, we go into the break on level terms.

Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 1 Bracknell Town

It was Stoke who came out looking to retake the lead, and in the opening five minutes, the Bracknell keeper made a save down low, then a defender was forced to block a Blake cross out for a corner, and then a shot from close range, saw the ball deflect off a Bracknell defender inches wide of the post.

Gallagher was next to have a shot at goal, but although hit well the ball flew a yard wide.

Bracknell had the next two attacks, firstly their No.7 headed over from a cross from the left, then as their striker broke dangerously into our penalty area, another well-timed tackle by Armsworth, allowed Grant to pick up the loose ball.

Stoke were back in the Bracknell final third once more and after a free-kick was put out for a corner, the kick fell to Clark, who just failed get the right angle for his shot, as the ball flew wide.

The first fifteen minutes of the half had flown by, and Stoke then could and should have retaken the lead, as Blake beat two defenders, as he entered the penalty area, but his shot from ten yards flew inches wide of the left-hand post.

Stoke continued to push Bracknell back, and the pressure finally told, as the ball was fed to Rudy Allen in the penalty area, and he made no mistake with a controlled finish into the corner of the net GOAL!! Basingstoke Town 2 – 1 Bracknell Town (Allen 64 mins)

Bracknell Town then had two minutes in and around our penalty area, but didn’t trouble Grant in goal.

Stoke made their first change of the day with Ore Bello replacing Joe Barough (74 mins).
Stoke came close to making it three, as Bello beat his marker then slid the ball across the face of the goal, where Gallagher under pressure from his defender, just failed to make the right connection on the ball, as it rolled to the keeper on the line.

Bracknell pushed forward once more, but another timely interception from Armsworth put a stop to their attack.

Stoke then made its second change, as D’Andre Brown was replaced by Josh Green (79 mins).

Now in the last ten minutes, Stoke were the team pushing forward through Blake & Bello, and we won a free-kick then a minute later a corner on the right. The resulting corner, saw Green unable to keep the ball down, as his hooked shot flew over the bar.

Stoke made itscon third change in the final minute of normal time, as George Reid was replaced by Conor Whiteley (90 minutes).
Stoke were playing out the five minutes of added-time, when they made their fourth change, as Robbie Gallagher was replaced by Ben Cook (94 mins).
Bello then found the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside, and thirty seconds later the referee blew the fulltime whistle and Stoke had won their third game in a row.

Fulltime Score: Basingstoke Town 2 vs 1 Bracknell Town
Blake 10 mins, Allen 64 mins,                       Mcdowell 36 mins,

Match Thought’s
It’s taken some time, but finally we are able to beat Bracknell, and it was a well-deserved victory too. A performance with timely tackles by Armsworth & Clark at the back, O’Loughlin, Blake and Brown covering every inch of the pitch, Gallagher & Reid battling for every ball up top, and a fitting end to Rudy Allen’s time with us, with that neat finish. Boy will we miss him.
Stoke move upto eleventh in the table, and hopefully now looking upwards only.
Up Next:
We are back at Winklebury this Tuesday evening, as we host Hanwell Town

Match Report by Martin French..