Southern League Premier South – Saturday 18th April 2026
Basingstoke Town 3 vs 1 Tiverton Town Attendance 704
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Manager Dan Brownlie’s starting line-up for the last home league game of the season was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Zach Ioannides, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Robbie Gallagher, 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. George Reid, 10. Joe Grant, 11. Ore Bello,
On the bench: 12, Ben Cook, 14. Josh Green, 15. Elliott Legg, 17. Lloyd Snell, 18. James Clark
Referee – Michael Smith
With the bright April sun beaming down on the Winklebury pitch, it was the visitors Tiverton Town, who had the first half chance, when in the third minute, the referee played good advantage allowing a Tiverton forward a yard of space, but his shot was dragged just wide of the right-hand post.
Stoke started to push forward, and came close to taking the lead in the tenth minute, as good work from Joe Grant, saw his shot flash of the crossbar and over for a goal-kick.
Stoke continued to press, and two minutes later, George Reid was dragged down by the Tiverton’s emergency keeper, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ore Bello repeated his penalty conversion from last week, sending the keeper the wrong way. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Tiverton Town (Bello 13 min Pen)
Stoke were looking strong and came close to doubling their lead, but a shot was cleared off the line.
Very little action from either side, as we hit the midway mark of the first-half.
Tiverton came close to levelling the game, as from our attack, they broke, but the shot from around thirty yards was poor, but was then pulled back for a free-kick, because heavy tackle from Scott Armsworth, who went in the book. The shot from the resulting free-kick forced a full-length five from Simon Grant, who caught the shot initially but then dropped it as he hit the deck, but quickly recovered it.
However, two minutes later Tiverton were to find the equaliser, as from a mistake at the back, Tiverton shot once more, but Grant unfortunately could push the shot back into the path of a Tiverton forward, who slotted the rebound into the back of the goal. Basingstoke Town 1 – 1 Tiverton Town
Another Tiverton break, then saw Reid go in the book, for pulling back a Tiverton player as he looked to break into our half.
Stoke looked to regain the lead and came close when Joe Grant went past his marker, but drove his shot straight at the Tiverton keeper who made the save.
Stoke had a little more pressure around the Tiverton penalty-area, but we went into the break, with a lot to improve for the second-half.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 – 1 Tiverton Town
Stoke made two changes at halftime, as Ben Cook replaced Scott Armsworth, and Josh Green replaced D’Andre Brown.
The second-half got underway, with a clear intent to regain the lead, and it took just three minutes, as we pushed and won a corner on the left. The corner-kick was met by Joe O’Loughlin, who rose above the packed penalty area and powerfully headed home. GOAL!! Basingstoke Town 2 – 1 Tiverton Town (O’Loughlin 52 mins)
Stoke continued to exert mote pressure, and came close to adding a third, when good work from Robbie Gallagher, then set-up Zach Ioannides whose shot had the keeper motionless as the ball flew inches wide of the left-hand post.
Stoke’s saw its third booking of the day, as the referee booked Gallagher for an apparent dive in the penalty area.
Stoke were now dominant and the third goal arrived just before the hour-mark, as a cross from the right, saw Ben Cook pounce on the loose ball, and drive the ball home. GOAL!!! Basingstoke Town 3 – 1 Tiverton Town (Cook 59 mins)
Stoke were now fully on-top, and decided to make a further change, as Lloyd Snell replaced George Reid (64 mins).
Minutes later we made our fourth change as Elliott Legg replaced Joe O’Loughlin (68 mins).
Stoke still on top, with Tiverton battling to keep us bay, we made our fifth change as James Clark replaced Ore Bello (78 mins).
Stoke came close to adding a fourth, as Gallagher weaved past two players, in the penalty area, but his shot was blocked away.
In the last minute of normal time, Cook twice came close to adding his second goal, as first a powerful shot shuddered off the far left-hand post, then in added-time, Cook was first to a loose ball, but his shot flew over the bar.
We played out the remaining added-time, and the final whistle confirms our place in step 3 football once more.
Fulltime Score: Basingstoke Town 3 vs 1 Tiverton Town
Bello 13 mins Pen, O’Loughlin 52 mins, Collins 32 mins,
Cook 59 mins,
Match Thoughts
Our last home game of the season, saw Stoke get off to a slow sluggish start, despite taking the lead through Ore Bello’s penalty, and it was no surprise when Tiverton equalised. Clearly Dan Brownlie gave the players a roasting at halftime, and this saw Stoke come out with a new purpose, and once O’Loughlin had headed us a head, it was only a matter of how many goals we would get.
We now sit in thirteenth, with the potential of going up another slot next week at Hanwell, in our last league of the season.
Up Next
We are on the road to AFC Totton’s Testwood Stadium, where we take on Sholing in the Hampshire Snr Cup final, this Tuesday evening KO 7.45pm
Match Report by Martin French..
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