Basingstoke Royals made sure of the Premier Division Championship

Rising Sun DC made their exit from the Basingstoke Senior Cup after being beaten 5-2 by Southern League Premier Division opponents Hungerford Town last week in the Semi- Final.
Hungerford fielded several of their Academy players and were shaken when Rising Sun went into a 2-0 half time lead, goals from Ben Nicholls and a splendid free kick from Ben Vine.
The game turned in favour of Hungerford in the second half when Rising Sun went down to ten men after Ben Vine was sent off. Hungerford equalized through Chris Passey and Connor Lynch equalized soon after and then first team striker Harry Goodger gave them the lead in 81 minutes. More indiscipline from the visitors saw Jamie Smith sent off and when down to nine for the remaining ten minutes two more goals were conceded, with Lynch completing his hat trick. The Final will be played at the Whitchurch United Ground on Wednesday 6th May kick off 7.45 p.m with Alton Town the other finalists.

Basingstoke Royals made sure of the Premier Division Championship after a dull win against Tadley Calleva at Preston Candover. Bradley Nash, the Tadley manager had seven of his regulars missing and they did well until conceding a second goal in the last minute. Royals took the lead after 22 minutes in a very tight first half when Stephen Horton crossed for Ashley Taylor to head home from six yards out. Tadley had the better of play in the second half with both substitute Bradley Nash missing a good chance and Stephen Burgess hitting a 25 yard good effort inches over the bar. It was in the 89th minute when over came a cross from James McIntosh and Horton beat netted to ensure the title.
The demise of Rising Sun DC continued when they met Hook in the league and crashed to a 4-0 defeat and now they have to win all of their remaining four matches to have any chance of taking the Runner Up Shield and one is against Hook on 2nd May. The Hook manager Humphrey Sims had to play in goal in the absence of Greg Archer and with other regulars missing the reserve striker Jack McKee made a rare appearance, his last was as a substitute in January. McKee was to have a big impact on the result as he scored a hat trick, with other goal scored by Tom Davies. On the Wednesday Hook lost 4-2 to Sherborne or they would have already secured the second spot in the table. There were two goals from the Sherborne striker Dec Shuttleworth, Cobi Judd and Sachin Rai also on target. Davies netted both for Hook.
Sherborne were again in action on Saturday and picked up the expected three points by beating Welly Old Boys 5-1. If it had not been for the Welly keeper??????????????? it would have been another double figure defeat for Graham Jenkins strugglers. Steve De’ath gave Sherborne a 25 minute lead and then played Dec Shuttleworth through for the second. Numerous saves by keeper Martin Willd kept it at 2-0 until De’ath headed a Alex Izzo corner into the top corner. The Old Boys struck back with a goal from James Brown, a long range effort that beat Matt Livingstone to make it 3-1, but in he last ten minutes further goals from Ibrahim Waheed and Shuttleworth beat Wild.
Basingstoke Athletic are the Division Two Champions. They made sure of it with a game to spare. Their opponents were the youngsters of Winklebury Wizards and they certainly had a game on their hands with the decider coming right on full time from Michael Borbely.. The game was of a high standard for the division, with Wizards Josh Dickens blazing a good chance over the bar and Ryan Watts going close. For Athletic Matt Button hit the bar and Wizards keeper Gavin Alexander saved with his legs when Daley Bristow was through one on one. . Wizards came strong after the break In the 70th they had a great chance when Robson Pereira received a pass from Charlie Smith, rounded his man and was unable to finish and then soon after this Smith played a one two with Dan Goodyear, but again they were unable to convert. The winner came on 90 minutes when a poor clearance fell to Ryan Evans, he played through to Mike Stillwell and in the scramble that ensued Michael Borbely, who only signed for the club last month, beat Alexander from 12 yards out.
Sherborne St John Reserves could not raise a team against Bounty United who received the three points, but with just one match left to play cannot reach Labour Club. So it is Daniel Poulter’s Labour Club who finished up with the Runners -Up Shield.
There was nothing at stake in the only other Division Two match played. It was at Brighton Hill where Basingstoke United won 2-0 against Preston Candover. It took United 65 minutes to take the lead when a ball over the top from Ash Pearce was picked up by Tom Hartley who took on the keeper in a one on one. Ten minutes later came the second, a similar goal, this time the lofted pass from Pearce led to Joe Hill lobbed the keeper.
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For the coming season the Basingstoke Saturday League has a vacancy for a Fixture Secretary, as Arthur Leaver is in need of a break. Training will be given to any applicant. Also there are three vacancies on the Saturday Section Committee. Anyone interested should contact the League Hon. Secretary Tessa Ticehurst on 01256460903
Peter Raynbird Cup Final
The Final of the Peter Raynbird Cup is being on Saturday evening at the Winklebury Football Complex.. Kick Off 6.30 p.m. The two finalists are Hook and Rising Sun DC and if both teams are at full strength it should be a close contest.
Hook have already won one trophy this season when they won the Basingstoke A Cup by beating favourites Basingstoke Royals 2-0 and have been winners of this cup on three other occasions, while Rising Sun DC are newcomers to the league this season.