Basingstoke & District Saturday League Match Reports

There was only three matches played on Saturday as pitches were ruled unfit as early Friday morning as frosty conditions were expected.
With Council pitches among them, Basingstoke Labour Club, down to play at Brighton Hill, hired the all weather pitch at Everest School to play of their Peter Raynbird Quarter Finals tie against Basingstoke Athletic, a decision they were to regret as they did not cope with the conditions and lost 5-2. . They started on the attack and Aaron Johns missed two good chances before Athletic took the lead in the 15th minute. Malcolm Wickens with the cross and under pressure from Ryan Evans, a mistake led to Nathan Read netting. A blow for Labour soon after saw key man James McCallion being taken off with a serious looking ankle injury, however they hit back to level through Matt Kelly following a good run and top corner finish. In the 60th Michael Borbely, who has been absent to play for Athletic until recently, took a pass from Evans to restore the lead and five minutes later he scored again when centre back Lee O’Grady moved forward. Labour then lost striker Kelly off injured and they fell 4-1 down when Evans scored with a rocket shot, with the assist from Roman Vanik. Johns managed to pull a goal back for Labour following a ball over the top from Wayne Barlow, but Evans scored a fifth.
The winners have been favoured with an away match against the winners of the postponed AFC Berg or Bounty United Quarter Final in the Semi Finals.
The other Quarter Final to be played was between the big guns in Division One and it was the leaders Basingstoke Royals who made their exit, beaten 2-1 by D.C.U.K. at Old Basing Rec. Although it was goal less until the 65th minute, D.C. were on top and only some good saves from keeper Nick Willcock stopped Stuart Austen and Ben Nicholls scoring in a one added first half. It was in the 65th when D.C. took the lead when Stuart Austen was on the end of a Ross Harwood cross to head home and the in the 80th they doubled the lead when Ben Nicholls centre led to a mistake at the back and Jamie Ballantyne scored from the edge of the box.. Royals did manage to get a consolation goal in added time when Dan Trump finished off a pass from Stephen Horton, but really a 2-1 defeat was a let off for them. D.C. will now meet the winners of the Twentyten Reserves and Hook inn the Semi’s after the pitch at Preston Candover was ruled unfit.
The one league game to be played was on grass at Everest School in Division Two where bottom of the table Chineham lost 2-1 to AFC Aldermaston A. It was Chineham with the wind in their favour taking the lead after 21 minutes when a cross from Ashley Russell led to a shot by Tommy Collingridge taking a deflection and beating the keeper. It was in the 57th when Aldermston drew level when an in swinging corner kick taken by Tony Johnson ended up hitting the inside of the far post and into the net. Chineham had their chances through Collingridge and Elliott Forsey , but it was a good winner in the 78th when new full back Robbie Chandler went on a good run and chipped helpless keeper Matt Jones who was off his line . The Aldermaston club have had some difficulties in raising team lately, but Manager Gary Bone feels they are in a more positive position with new signings, including Kevin Hill, who assisted in this welcome victory.