Southern League Premier South Division – Saturday 13th January 2024
Hanwell Town 1 v 2 Basingstoke Town Attendance – TBC
Where: The Powerday Stadium, Perivale Lane, Greenford. UB6 8TL
Dan Brownlie’s line-up today was : 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Massimo Giamattei, 4. Michael Atkinson, 5. Anthony Cheshire, 6. Billy Upton, 7. Bradley Wilson, 8. Simon Dunn (Capt), 9. Liam Ferdinand, 10. Daniel Rowe, 11. George Reid
On the bench: Paul Hodges, James Clark, D’Andre Brown, Callum Winchcombe & Stefan Brown
Referee – TBC
The game kicks off with Stoke pushing into their half, and then a long crossfield pass finds an open Hanwell forward, who slots the ball past Simon Grant into the goal, and we trail inside the first minute. Hanwell 1-0 Basingstoke
Hanwell then break again once more, and a cross from the right, flies across the face of our goal and out for a throw-in on the left.
Hanwell have the next chance, this time down the left, but fortunately the cross is met by a Hanwell forward who fires the ball high over the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
Basingstoke’s first attack of note was on ten minutes, when a Bradley Wilson throw, is headed on by Billy Upton, which the Hanwell keeper is able to grab out of the air.
Upton is then inches away from equalising, as his diving header from George Reid’s free-kick, flies over the bar.
We’re now midway through the first-half and the game is getting scrappy, as passes going astray by both sides.
Dan Rowe drags a shot wide from twenty-five yards.
Hanwell have a little possession around our penalty area, but create nothing for Grant to have to deal with.
Stoke’s next attack of note comes with four minutes to go, as a neat move allows Liam Ferdinand to slip the ball to Wilson, who takes the ball ten yards, then hits a power shot, but straight at the keeper who makes the save.
There will be a number of added-minutes to the first-half, as Simon Dunn receives treatment for a head-injury.
The game restarts and we play a few minutes, before the referee blows the halftime whistle, with Stoke trailing by the early goal.
Halftime Score: Hanwell Town 1 v 0 Basingstoke Town
The second-half gets underway with no changes by Basingstoke, and we push forward initially and we win a corner on the left, the ball is half cleared, and then pushed back into the penalty area, and Upton takes advantage of the space, as he chests down the ball and volleys home from twelve yards out. GOAL! Hanwell Town 1 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Upton 48 mins)
The game restarts and Stoke come forward once again, as the ball is slid through to Ferdinand just inside the Hanwell half, who takes the ball through two Hanwell players, then slides an inch-perfect through ball to Wilson to run onto and he neatly slides the ball past the oncoming Hanwell keeper into the net GOAL! Hanwell Town 1 – 2 Basingstoke Town (Wilson 51 mins)
Hanwell’s crowd already fairly silent are silenced, with Basingstoke’s brace in four minutes.
Hanwell come forward, but good work at the back allows us to clear.
Reid appears to have picked up an injury and is replaced by D’Andre Brown (65 mins)
Hanwell look to get back in the game and win a free-kick just outside a penalty area, and with a hold-up in play, we make our second change with, Paul Hodges replacing Michael Atkinson (68 mins). The free-kick is poor and flies over the bar.
There is little flow to the game and Basingstoke make their third change with Callum Winchcombe replacing Massimo Giamattei (78 mins)
Stoke have a chance to settle the game, as a long through ball is neatly brought down by Wilson as he races into the Hanwell penalty area, but his shot grazes the outside of the far right-hand post and out for a goal-kick.
Hanwell are looking for an equaliser, but Stoke’s defence continues to deny them any real opening.
Neat work down the right allows Wilson to find space to shoot, but it is well-saved by the Hanwell keeper.
Hanwell create a chance to shoot, but Grant saved down low by the right-hand post.
The referee has indicated a minimum of eight added-minutes as we hit the ninety minute mark
Hanwell win a corner on the right, and it’s desperation time for Hanwell as their keeper has gone up to the penalty area, but we are able to clear, as the clock reaches five of the added-minutes.
Hanwell break down the left and along the by-line but Grant makes a stop from the cross.
The referee seems to allow Hanwell another chance, awarding them another free-kick, but the kick flies harmlessly wide of the post.
The referee plays a further minute, before finally blowing the full-time whistle, and Stoke have fought back for their first win for some time.
Full-time Score: Hanwell Town 1 v 2 Basingstoke Town
Bancroft 1 min, Upton 48 mins, Wilson 51 mins
Match Thought’s
A rather scrappy game, saw us battle back in the second-half and probably edge the better chances in the game. Upton’s fifth goal of the season the game changer.
George Reid may have picked up another hamstring injury, so we will have to deal with that moving forwards. Anthony Cheshire’s month-long loan has ended and will likely head back to Weymouth.
Still a lot for Basingstoke to do, but the three points are a good start.
Up Next:
We are back at Winklebury next Saturday (20th), as we host another team below us in Tiverton Town.
Match Report by Martin French..
Thanks for the report as always, a much needed win with a decent starting line up.
Still plenty to do to feel safe, but a deserved win is a start.
Well would we be with Billy Upton. A man-mountain at both ends of the park.
Sorry mean’t without Billy Upton.