Saints Reserves come marching in

Basingstoke Saints Reserves played their opening game in the Basingstoke Sunday League, going down 0-17 this weekend. The new team were scheduled to join at the beginning of the season under a different name and management but couldn't get off the ground. Saints stepped in to save the day taking them under their wing as a reserve side, hence the delayed start. For many of the players it was the first time playing adult 11-a-side football on a full-sized pitch. Their opening game was a Bernard Cornish Cup tie against UWS, a side playing a division above them, who have now gone five games without defeat. It'll be close to Christmas before Saints have even played five games in a row! So, it was a baptism of fire, but then steel has to be forged in a furnace before it is strong and ready to hone and sharpen. So welcome, Saints Reserves, you kept your heads up until the final whistle; you are players now, and long may you stay with us, we are proud to have you.

UWS scorers were Ryan Lupton and Darren Head who filled their boots with four each, Jake Williams with a hat-trick, Andrew Davidson a brace, and James Tarrant, Mark Thompson, Nathan Glasgow, and Dean Barrett with singles.

Unbeaten Affini Technology also progressed through to the next round with a clean sheet, running out 8-0 winners over Division 3 Chineham Reserves. Daniel Argent, Mario Lanuzza, Nick Jupp (with two), Joe Lawler, Matt Bennett, Dave Weatherhead, and Shane Third, the scorers.

Chineham Athletic did register a Ben Irons' consolation as they succumbed 10-1 at Bramley United. Stuart Leddy racked up five goals, including a first half hat-trick. Adam Bartlett added a fourth to make it 4-1 at half-time, with Colin Bell firing in a brace to add to a pair of own goals after the interval.

Hampshire Irons faced the irresistible force of North Warnborough Reserves, losing 0-5. The visitors were in good form, with Sean Delfosse scoring a brace. Warnborough were 0-4 ahead at the break, but Irons made some changes and were much tighter, creating good chances to reduce the deficit. However, the visitors absorbed that pressure and scored again.

In an all-Division 3 clash, Camrose Social beat DG Athletic 4-1, with Aaron Burt's hat-trick to add to Tony Pendlebury's strike, while James Brown reduced the deficit for DG.

Visitors Eastrop Eagles beat Chineham 0-2, with goals from Keith Davies and Jeff Barlow.

North Warnborough faced a strong squad from Team FC, and were still competing on 1-2 at half-time. They felt unlucky losing by as many as 2-5, but the result fairly reflected the match.

Soldiers Return Reserves visited Revolution and competed well throughout. Falling behind on 15 minutes, they were all square after 30 when Callum Silcox progressed down the wing, crossing for Tom Hartley to score. A breakaway by Revolution edged them back in front, though, just before half-time. The match remained close until the last 15 minutes, when two late goals put the game beyond the visitors, 4-1. Craig Atkinson with two, Nathan Duncombe, and Jamie Perryman netted for Revolution, now unbeaten in their last four home games.

Dayers Fine Foods surged 2-0 ahead with strikes from Joe Hill and Christian Cox in their Basingstoke Kelvin Cup tie against Broughton. However, by half-time the visitors had levelled 2-2. In the second half, substitute Lee Neale scored within two minutes of coming on and netted again near the end, 4-2, making the game safe.

Cameron George hit the target for FC Everest, but otherwise they had a nightmare, losing 1-14 at home to Republic of Chineham.

Oakley started well, opening the scoring against visitors Tron. However, it was soon 1-1 after Michael Morey equalised. The game was evenly poised, until Tron played their metaphorical jokers, in the form of substitutes Charlie Hart, who swiftly edged Tron ahead, and Ross Cook, who stole the show 20 minutes from time by rattling in four goals, 1-6, game almost over. James Tennant managed to nod in Oakley's second with five minutes left, but the damage was done.

FC Basing faced a tall order against Basingstoke Royals, and were soon two goals down. Brett Denham pulled one back at 1-2 but Royals romped away with a 1-7 result, their third win in a row. Mark Horton netted a brace, the rest coming from James Gilham, Ashley Taylor, Stuart Urquhart, James McIntosh and an own goal.

Soldiers Return entertained Tidworth Town, with Freddie Cloke netting after 15 minutes from a corner. Alex Izzo, making his first start of the season, hit the second, latching onto a through ball and chipping the keeper. After half-time, Warren Hill increased the lead to three with a 30 yard volley, before Tidworth got back into the game at 3-1 from the penalty spot. Revitalised, the visitors followed up with a second, halfway through the half, from a free kick to close to 3-2. Cloke benefited from two late breakaways, to finish off the game 5-2.

Wheatsheaf narrowly lost 6-7 to Andover Sports.