Match Report: Basingstoke Town 4 – 0 Merthyr Town – Saturday 26th April 2025

Southern League Premier South – Saturday 26th April 2025
Basingstoke Town 4 vs 0 AFC Totton Attendance 1,495
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
The final game of the season and potentially a must-win game saw Manager Dan Brownlie go with a starting line-up of: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Marcus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Lewis Colwell, 4. Jack Ball, 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Josh Green, 8. Malachi Ogunleye, 9. Liam Ferdinand, 10. Robbie Gallagher, 11. George Reid,
On the bench: 12. Jaden Brissett, 14. D’Andre Brown, 15. James Dickson, 16. Ben Cook & 17. James Clark
Referee – Patrick Nixon

This hugely important game for Basingstoke got underway with us defending the railway end and it was an even start from both sides with the battle in midfield in the opening minutes, with George Reid trying to breakaway down the right, but halted by a strong clean tackle.

It was Stoke to open the scoring as Robbie Gallagher, went on one of his mazy runs, cutting in from the left and forcing a double save out of the Merthyr, the second shot falling to Liam Ferdinand, who nipped in between two defenders, to slot the ball into the back of the net GOAL ! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Merthyr Town (Ferdinand 18 mins)

There was a two minute delay as one of Merthyr’s players received extended treatment.
Merthyr’s first attack of note was from a corner, but the header flew comfortably over the bar.

On the half-hour mark, it was Ferdinand with a neat move finding Markus Johnson-Schuster, whose left-foot shot from just inside the penalty rolled harmlessly to the Martyr keeper.

Ferdinand was the instigator of the next attack of note as his forty yard run took the ball into the Merthyr penalty area, before being forced to recycle the ball out to Gallagher whose cross was headed clear.

Stoke who had pressed Merthyr from the start then doubled their lead as Reid, made no mistake crashing the ball from Ferdinand’s neat pass GOAL !! Basingstoke Town 2 – 0 Merthyr Town (Reid 39 mins)

Merthyr pushed forward but a well-timed block by Josh Green kept them at bay.

The referee allowed a minute of added-time, and we went into the break with Stoke deservedly on top, whilst denting the visiting fans celebrations.

Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 2 vs 0 Merthyr Town
The game got back underway with Stoke now attacking the railway end and once more were the team on the front-foot in the opening minutes, with the visitors struggling to get any real foothold in the game.

An hour in, Stoke looked to add a third through Reid who pressured two Merthyr defenders, but his attempted bicycle kick, failed to make any real connection, and slid wide of the left-hand post.

It was Reid who then broke clear once more taking the ball twenty-five yards into the Merthyr half, before winning a free-kick after being pulled down.

Merthyr looked to get back into the game, but a shot rebounded safely to Simon Grant in goal.

Stole were to then extend their lead after Gallagher was fouled just outside the Merthyr penalty area, as Reid curled his free-kick around the wall and past the Merthyr keepers dive into the far corner of the net. GOAL !!! Basingstoke Town 3 – 0 Merthyr Town (Reid 70 mins)

Two minutes later Reid looked to get his hat-trick, but the ball didn’t quite fall right, allowing a Merthyr defender to kick the ball clear.
It was time for Stoke’s first change of the afternoon, as Scott Armsworth was replaced by James Clark (74 mins).

Any hope of a Merthyr recovery was put to bed, as Stoke then added a fourth, as Gallagher picked up a loose ball, then found Ferdinand to made no mistake slotting the ball home GOAL !!!! Basingstoke Town 4 – 0 Merthyr Town (Ferdinand 77 mins)

Stoke made it’s second change of the game with two-goal George Reid replaced by Jaden Brissett (79 mins).

Merthyr who have looked anything but Champions, looked to open their account, but Grant was able to make the save.

Stoke’s third change of the day, was Robbie Gallagher who was replaced by D’Andre Brown (83 mins).
Grant was then called into action once more, palming a powerful shot clear.

Stoke made its fourth change as Malachi Ogunleye was replaced by James Dickson (86 mins).
Stoke made its fifth and final change of the 2024-25 league season as Josh Green was replaced Ben Cook (90 mins).

The referee allowed three minutes of added-time moving the players close to the players tunnel before bowing the final whistle and Stoke confirming their place at Step 3 football for next season.

    Full-time Score: Basingstoke Town 4 vs 0 Merthyr Town
Ferdinand 18 & 77 mins, Reid 39 & 70 mins,

Match Thought’s
A truly stunning controlled performance with four goals that matched the dominating result. Merthyr were worthy champions, but Stoke took four (could have been six) points off them this season. George Reid was back to his best, whilst Liam Ferdinand stepped up once more as they shared the four Stoke goals. Robbie Gallagher rounded off a quality season as the other striker yesterday. How much do we need the return of Josh Green for next season, as he and Malachi Ogunleye more than matched Merthyr’s midfield.
The defence did what it needed to do once more at a critical time of the season and made Merthyr’s frontline look average.
We stay up and we look ahead to next season
Up Next:
We play Romsey Town in the final of the North-Hants Cup Final on Tuesday 6th May at Andover New Street (KO 7.45pm).

Match Report by Martin French..