Southern League Premier South – Saturday 11th April 2026
Hungerford Town 1 vs 3 Basingstoke Town Attendance 472
Where: Bulpitt Lane, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0AY
Manager Dan Brownlie’s line-up was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Zach Ioannides, 3. Joe O’Loughlin, 4. Scott Armsworth, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. George Reid, 8. Josh Green, 9. Joe Grant, 10. Ore Bello, 11. Robbie Gallagher,
On the bench: 12. Ben Cook, 14. D’Andre Brown, 14. Dan Rowe, 15. Lloyd Snell, 17. James Clark
Referee – Robert Ablitt
Basingstoke opened the game kicking downhill, and were the team on top in the opening minutes of play as the expected bumpy pitch, was affecting both sides.
Stoke continued to push forward, and the pressure finally paid dividends, as the ball fell to Ore Bello, who made just enough connection of the ball, to mis-direct the keeper, as the ball bounced into the net. GOAL! Hungerford Town 0 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Bello 11 mins)
Stoke continued to look threatening and Robbie Gallagher & Ore Bello were put through against a slow Hungerford back-four, and this should have resulted in a second goal for Stoke, as Bello found George Reid, who took one touch, and then smashed his shot from close range against the crossbar and away.
The weather was noticeably changing as we hit the twenty-minute mark, as dark grey clouds were heading towards the ground, and two minutes later the ground was being pelted with hailstones.
However, as the hailstones stopped, Hungerford were to make their first real attack count, as a shot from outside the penalty area, beat Simon Grant, as it found the bottom left-hand corner of the goal. Hungerford 1 – 1 Basingstoke
Stoke continued to press for the second goal, and this came close when Bello smashed a volley against the post with five minutes to the break.
However, despite all the dominance, we went into the break level, with still some work to do.
Halftime Score: Hungerford Town 1 vs 1 Basingstoke Town
With no changes at halftime, Stoke began the second-half kicking up hill, and Stoke looked to regain the lead, and received that all important fortunate piece of help from the referee, as what seemed in slow motion, Reid and Cairney in a comical entanglement in the penalty area, saw the referee point to the penalty spot. The penalty was taken and converted once more by Ore Bello GOAL!! Hungerford Town 1 – 2 Basingstoke Town (Bello 48 mins Pen)
Joe Grant was through two minutes later, but his shot was blazed wide.
Stoke continued to attack, but a break from Hungerford saw, their player go in the book for a dive inside the penalty area.
Stoke were still looking for that all important third goal, but the game was getting scrappy, as we moved to the midway point of the second-half.
Ore Bello came close to his hat-trick from a free-kick, but his shot allowed Cairney to clear.
Stoke had further shots blocked from Grant then Billy Upton, but Hungerford from our attack, broke down the right, and forced a save out of Simon Grant.
A minute later, Hungerford could have been reduced to ten men, as Reid was brought down, as he tried to race clear, but the referee chose to award a yellow card to the Hungerford defender.
Stoke were still the team on top, but Hungerford came close to a leveller, as the ball bounced around our penalty area, but Scott Armsworth, made a vital block.
Stoke then made it’s first change of the day as George Reid was replaced by Lloyd Snell (72 mins).
Very little to note over the next few minutes, but it was Gallagher once more, with his tenacious desire to battle for everything, that brought dividends to Stoke, as he won the ball back on the right, then broke along the goal-line, before finding Bello, who slid the ball to Joe Grant who planted his shot in the left-hand corner of the goal, GOAL!!! Hungerford Town 1 – 3 Basingstoke Town (J Grant 84 mins)
A minute later, our goal-scorer Joe Grant was replaced by D’Andre Brown (85 mins).
Bello came close to his hat-trick once more, but his shot was saved by Cairney once more.
That was to be Bello’s last action for the game, as he was then replaced by Dan Rowe (90 mins).
Now deep in added-time, Stoke made its final two changes, as Josh Green was replaced by Ben Cook, and Robbie Gallagher was replaced by James Clark (93 mins).
Stoke continued to look for the fourth, but the referee had seen enough and blew the final whistle, on a good performance and three vital points.
Final Score: Hungerford Town 1 vs 3 Basingstoke Town
Marcon 25 mins, Bello 11 & 48 mins (Pen), J Grant 82 mins,
Match Thoughts
Stoke put in a strong and battling performance, and completed the job against a poor Hungerford Town team. Stoke produced plenty of chances in both halves of the game, but a stubborn Hungerford Town side, restricted it to just the three goals. However, the ultimate point of the game was achieved as Stoke put all worries of relegation to bed with the three points.
Two games left as we sit in fourteenth, four points above the relegation zone and with Tiverton Town to come.
Up Next:
We are back home next Saturday (18th), for our final home game of the season, as we host relegated Tiverton Town, KO 3pm.
Match Report by Martin French..
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