Basingstoke Royals, Bramley United and Sherborne St.John go into the next round of the Hampshire ‘A’ Cup and Basingstoke Athletic goes into the Hampshire ‘B’ Cup

Just three of the seven Basingstoke League clubs engaged in the Hampshire ‘A’ cup matches survived the third round with Basingstoke Royals, Bramley United and Sherborne St John after receiving a walk over due to Hook Reserves being unable to raise a team, .through to the last sixteen. Bramley had the most decisive win, beating visitors Lowford 3-0. All three of their goals came in the opening 35 minutes, commencing with an unstoppable m18 yard drive from Sam Cato in the 10th minute. Cato then scored again in the 20th minute, heading home a Stuart Woods cross. Still having plenty of the play, Josh Arthur added a third in the 35th with a solo run down the flank, cutting in and giving the keeper no chance with his finish. With very little coming from Lowford, United remained in control for the remainder of the tie. Basingstoke Royals did not have such an easy passage through and were taken to a penalty shootout against IOW visitors Bembridge when they scored five with four in reply. Steve Horton gave them a 20th minute lead from a Nick Wilcock good ball from the left and James McIntosh added to this with a second in the 35th following a solo run. Royals allowed the visitors back in the game five minutes into the second half and although Royals enjoyed had plenty of the play and looked in control, with five minutes left an overhead shot forced a shootout. Tom Smith, Matt Dean, Stu Urquhart , Richard & Nick Wilcock scored all of Royals, Bembridge converted the first four, but a fine save by keeper Richard Munday earned him Man of the match and saw them through. On the down side for Basingstoke teams, one of the favorites Rising Sun DC traveled to Southampton and came home beaten 4-3 against AFC Botley. Manager Stuart Austen had seven of his squad not available, including his influential captain and centre back Gordon Birch, who had a broken toe. They went behind after ten minutes when caught on the break and in a tight game equalized in the 66th with a 30 yard strike from Shaun Searle and five minutes later went ahead through Josh Flanagan. Botley then got on top and scored three goals before five minutes from time Michael Thomas netted for Rising Sun. Hampshire Irons were also on the road to Andover where they were beaten 5-3 by AFC Wolversdene. . Their goals came from Jay Greene and two for Olly Owen. Aldershot League club Rushmore Community proved too good for Hook who made their exit, beaten 2-0 away. They fell behind when a 25 yard shot eluded keeper Greg Archer. They did have chances, the best when Andy Parker was felled in the box, took the spot kick himself and blazed it high over the bar. Archer was unable to get to a cross and unchallenged the Rushmoor man headed firmly into the net for a 2-0 half time lead. Hook pushed up to get back in the game, but their closest to scoring came from substitute Tom Davies broke through, but failed to beat the keeper in a one on one. Twentyten also went out, beaten by North Berks League club Burghclere 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes. Jordon Wainwright gave Twentyten a 5th minute lead and they retained it although under intense pressure until the 80th minute when the visitors equalized. Wainwright struck again with five to go, but deep into added time at attack ended with an Alan Spacagna own goal and so meaning a penalty shootout. Tim Wright, Olly Lacey and Alan Spacagna were successful and despite keeper Frank Spacagna saving two, it was not enough as sudden death came and Joe Osborne saw his penalty kick saved.

Hampshire Junior ‘A’ Cup. Fourth Round Ties. Saturday 3rd January 2015. Kick-Off Time 1-45 pm
Binstead & COB v Bramley United, Ryde Saints v Basingstoke Royals, Sherborne St.John v Kingsclere.

The Basingstoke League will have a representative in the Quarter-Finals of the Hampshire ‘B’ Cup after Basingstoke Athletic defeated Hythe Aztecs 4-0 at Brighton Hill. The opener came after 25 minutes when a free kick from Nathan Read proved too good for the keeper. Matt Stillwell made it 2-0 after a good team move inducing Matt Button, Ryan Evans and Dale Bristow. Into the second half with Athletic still on top and a half volley from Button from a good ball from Evans made it three and Bristow added another when put through by Dave Trevellion.

Hampshire Junior ‘B’ Cup. Quarter-Final Tie. Saturday 3rd January 2015. Kick-Off Time 1-45 pm
Basingstoke Athletic v Hartley Wintney ‘A’.