North-Hants Cup Semi Final – Tuesday 6th May 2025
Basingstoke Town 6 vs 0 Romsey Town Attendance TBC
Where: Foxcotte Park, Andover, SP11 0TA
Manager Dan Brownlie line-up went with a strong line-up for this final with: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Gordon Weston-Brown, 3. James Clark, 4. James Dickson, 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Aleks Kokoszka, 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. Robbie Gallagher, 10. Ben Cook, 11. Connor Barratt
On the bench: Charlie Barlow & Harry Bowden
Referee – Steve Liddiard
The repeat of last year’s final got underway with Basingstoke attacking down the slope in the first-half and we took an early lead, after we won a penalty, which James Clark sent the keeper the wrong way. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Romsey Town (Clark 3 Mins Pen)
Stoke continued to press, and on ten minutes a decent cross was headed wide.
Call for another penalty minutes later are rightly waived away, and then Scott Armsworth, should have made it two, as from a corner his initial header is blocked back to him and his follow-up shot is hit straight at the keeper who made the save.
Connor Barratt’s first start of the season, saw him weave past his defender and send over a cross that Aleks Kokoszka headed inches wide. From the resulting goal-kick, the Romsey keeper made an amazing reaction save as the ball bounced wickedly in front of him from Robbie Gallagher shot from thirty-five yards.
Stoke went close with two further shots, before Romsey won a free-kick just outside the penalty area, with calls from Romsey for James Clark to see a red card.
With five minutes to the break, Ben Cook had the chance to double the lead after a good move gave him space to shoot, but his shot was blocked away.
Simon Grant was then called into action, as he dived down low to his right, palming the ball away.
Stoke then attacked through Billy Upton, who took the ball past three defenders, before losing it inside the penalty area and was then booked for a late tackle.
There was two minutes of added-time , before the referee blew for halftime.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 0 Romsey Town
Romsey are not happy as an opening minute cross from Barratt found D’Andre Brown who appeared to use his arm/chest to control the ball before tapping home from four yards. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 2 – 0 Romsey Town (Brown 46 Mins)
Stoke then made it three just minutes later, after great persistence from Gallagher, set-up Barratt, who mis-hit his first shot, which bounced back to him, and he made no mistake with his follow-up shot GOAL! Basingstoke Town 3 – 0 Romsey Town (Barratt 49 Mins)
Barratt nearly got his second after good work set him up but his shot flew over the bar.
Romsey then won a free-kick which deflected wide off Clark.
The Romsey keeper then a double save, first from James Dickson and the follow-up from Kokoszka.
Stoke then made it’s first change as George Weston-Brown was replaced by Charlie Barlow (64 mins).
Stoke then made it four after good work from Gallagher saw his shot palmed out for a corner. From Barratt’s corner, the ball deflected off a Romsey defender into the net. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 4 – 0 Romsey Town (Own Goal 68 Mins)
Gallagher then got fouled and was clearly hurt, and was replaced by Harry Bowden after a two-minute delay (83 mins).
Stoke then made it five, after Charlie Barlow picked up a loose ball, then out paced his marker and sent the ball across the face of the goal, where Dre made no mistake. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 5 – 0 Romsey Town (Brown 85 Mins)
Kokoszka then came close to making it six, after his left foot shot flew inches wide of right-hand post.
The sixth was to arrive deep into added-time as Barratt made no mistake GOAL! Basingstoke Town 6 – 0 Romsey Town (Barratt 95 Mins)
A minute later the referee blew the final whistle and Stoke had retained the North-Hants Cup with a strong performance.
Full-time Score: Basingstoke Town 6 vs 0 Romsey Town
Clark 3 min (Pen), Brown 46 & 85 mins,
Own Goal 68 mins, Barratt 49 & 95 mins
Match Thought’s
With a reasonably strong starting line-up, and despite many chances in the first-half, the game was put to bed within a few minutes of the second-half.
Good to see Connor Barratt get a full game who found the net twice more, in a strong performance. Also good to see Dre get a brace. The defence was rarely troubled with Simon Grant making one notable save.
We win the cup for a second year and all eyes will be on what squad we have for next season.
Up Next:
That’s All Folks for the 2024-25 season.
Match Report by Martin French..
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