Southern League Premier South – Easter Monday 6th April 2026
Basingstoke Town 1 vs 0 Sholing Attendance 647
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Manager Dan Brownlie’s starting line-up for this crucial home game was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Zach Ioannides, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Tom Blake, 8. Josh Green, 9. George Reid, 10.Ore Bello, 11. Robbie Gallagher,
On the bench: 14. Joe Grant, 15. Dan Rowe, 16. Elliott Legg, 17D’Andre Brown, 18. James Clark
Referee – Patrick Nixon
This crucial game kicked off on a sunny April afternoon, and it was Tom Blake who had the first half-chance, but his left-foot from 25 yards was blocked away by a Sholing defender.
Neither team were putting any real pressure on either keeper, although Stoke were edging the possession, as we hit the tenth minute.
Sholing were to then win a corner, as Joe O’Loughlin was able to hook the ball out for a corner, after the ball bounced off a Stoke defender and Sholing forward. The resulting kick, saw a Sholing forward in space, but fortunately dragged his shot wide of the right-hand post.
Stoke were then to receive their first piece of help, as from a Sholing attack, the ball was kicked clear to George Reid, who broke clear, and was then dragged down, and the referee immediately showed the Sholing defender a straight red card (20 mins). The kick although poor forced the keeper to fumble, but then recover the ball.
The game continued in a bitty fashion, as both physios were called into action on a number of times as we hit the half-hour mark.
Sholing did create one attack, but the header flew comfortably to Simon Grant in goal.
All these stoppages, were finally to make a big hit, as Tom Blake, who had already been down earlier, received further treatment and it was became clear he could not continue, and was replaced by Joe Grant (35mins).
Despite the one man advantage, Stoke were struggling to put their keeper under any pressure, as we reached the last couple of minutes of normal time.
With all the stoppages, it was a surprise that only three added-minutes, were awarded, and these were played out, and we went into break level.
Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 0 – 0 Sholing
The second-half got underway, with no further changes by Basingstoke, as we attacked the railway end, as Sholing won a corner at the other end, but Jack Ball made a strong headed clearance.
Stoke then broke on the right, as Zach Ioannides found Ore Bello, who cross was headed out for a corner, as Stoke started to put more pressure on Sholing’s defence.
The referee who had already had his cards out a couple times in the first-half, then got them out again for players from both sides.
Stoke were then to receive their second slice of luck, as Joe O’Loughlin went on driving run into the Sholing penalty area, then slipped the ball to Robbie Gallagher, who slid the ball, back across to George Reid, who went down as a tackle from a Sholing defender, appeared to clip his ankles, and the referee blew for a penalty.
Even worse for the visitors was the referee then showed the Sholing player a second-yellow card, and Sholing were reduced to nine. With James Clark on the bench, penalty-taking duties were passed onto Ore Bello, who confidently sent the Sholing keeper the wrong way, and Stoke were ahead GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Sholing (Bello 57 min Pen)
This pretty much put the game-to-bed, as Sholing had no-out-and-out striker, and Stoke used the extra time and space to push for a second, but Stoke failed to create any clear-cut chances, although Joe Grant, hit a shot that flew a yard wide of the left-hand post.
It was time for Stoke’s second change, as George Reid was replaced by D’Andre Brown (77 mins).
A nice move set-up Robbie Gallagher, but his shot fifteen yards out, was always rising and hit the roof the stand behind the goal.
Stoke still showing little sign of finding that second goal, but comfortable in defence, then made its final three changes in one go, as Zach Ioannides was replaced by Dan Rowe (86 mins), Ore Bello was replaced by James Clark, and Robbie Gallagher was replaced by Elliott Legg (87 mins).
We comfortably played out the five added-minutes, and Stoke get three crucial points.
Fulltime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 0 Sholing
Bello 57 mins Pen,
Match Thoughts
A rather drab affair, but Stoke for once with the referee on its side, grabbed all three crucial points, against on paper was a strong Sholing side. More injury worries, with Tom Blake hobbling off, and that could be his season done.
We sit back in fifteenth, but still four points between us and the first relegation place.
Up Next
We are back on the road and at local rivals Hungerford Town, who will fight to stay in the league. Saturday 11th – KO 3pm
Match Report by Martin French..
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