Basingstoke & District League Match Reports from Saturday 1st September, By Peter Raynbird.

The bad news in the Basingstoke Saturday Football League was the withdrawal of Sherborne St John from Division One this week. Sherborne who were only promoted this season from Division Two, found it difficult to have players committed regularly and regrettable had to pull out before the season starts. Also, AFC Aldermaston A had to cancel their opening game against Oakridge, through lack of players available.

Division One
The current Division One Champions Twentyten started well with a 5-1 win against AFC Aldermaston Reserves, even though they have lost key players, Lucus Pickett and Christian to Overton United senior teams. Dan Hancock, who finished top scorer for Twentyten Reserves last season, has been promoted to the first eleven squad and it was his header that led to Ryan Lupton giving them they lead after just two minutes. Aldermaston responded quickly to level through Jamal Forde after good play by Kallam Patrick. The home side played well in the first half, but after losing Matt Hoyte injured, they conceded just before half time when Joe Osborne netted. Karl Allan did have a couple of half chances for Aldermaston, but in the 55th minute James Arnold made it 3-1. In the 60th a cross from Arnold was headed home by Hancock and it was Hancock with the square ball for Lupton to score his second.

Hook also started well with a 6-0 away win against Overton United A. Manager Humphrey Sims was pleased with his new signings, one of which was Ashley Wood, who scored two goals of the goals after coming on as substitute. Another newcomer Ben Watson found Tom Lucas with a long throw and he gave them the lead with an acrobatic volley. It was their top scorer last season Dan Mauradian who made it 2-0 from a Dan Mellors assist. Ally Brown and Nial Day combined to give Morgan Davies his chance and it was 3-0. The next goal was scored by Ashley Wood, after he came on as substitute, a diving header after a cross from Sam Wells. Dan Mellors was credited with the fifth after a shot by Dan Alliston hit him in the face. Wood broke through again and after hitting the post with his first effort, tucked away the rebound.

Promoted AFC Berg commenced with good looking 2-0 away win against Tadley Calleva A. It was battle throughout at Barlows Park, with two late goals giving Berg the points. It was a much-changed line-up for Tadley after some of their players have signed for the nearby Silchester Village, who have joined the league this season. In the first half Kieran Alleyne had a good chance, but fired over, but it was Tadley who were go much closer in the second half when first Craig Farrington and then Jack Jones hit the woodwork for them The deadlock was broken in the 82nd minute when Carlos Gonzalez was brought down and Ashley Elward put away the penalty kick. Three minutes from time Berg sealed the points when Alleyne broke away and beat keeper Gary Harper.

Division Two

Basingstoke Athletic managed to pick up all three points against North Warnborough (formerly Basingstoke Town Colts). Athletic look to have strengthened their squad by signing ex Winklebury Wizard players Greg Adams and Aaron Barton, but it their captain Kieran Challis, who has been with the club since their inception, who came up with the decider in this 1-0 win. It was in the 70th minute when Ben Weller was through, rounded keeper Reece Emery, who brought him down and Challis put away the spot kick. Warnborough had a lot of the ball without creating any real threat and Manager Craig will be pleased to see his star Rumanian striker Benica Oprea Return this week. Losing his new striker Lim Coffey off injured after just 15 minutes did not help. and they were down to ten men for the final ten minutes with all subs used, when the winner came.

Twentyten Res entertained Overton United B on the North Warnborough Ground as the Preston Candover pitch is no longer available for them and they won 4-2. Ross Soper-Dyer and Steve Caswell have taken over the Overton B team this season and Soper-Dyer felt it was two big mistakes that allowed their opponents to take the lead, but he felt they were competitive. It was Christian Cox with the Twentyten goal after 15 minutes. One of the several veterans in the Overton line up was Andy Tottman, who equalised in the 35th after a shot by Andrew Bullock had hit the post. In the 55th Twentyten regained the lead through Joe Hill with the assist from Austin Feighery. Stephen Bean added two more for the home side before Paul Roffey played Sammy Eldori through for Overton’ second. It was not a good day for James Freeman, having his first game for five seasons, going off with a broken collar bone in the 58th minute.