Peter Raynbird reviews the Hampshire A and B Cup ties played on 7th November 2015

For the first time this season the wet weather came, for many of our clubs it came at the wrong time as it was the day of the Hampshire Junior ‘A’ and ‘B’ Cups. Remarkably the pitches in Basingstoke were not affected, however the Basingstoke Labour Club FC match against Brading Town FC Reserves was off due to all ferries from the IOW not sailing due to high winds. In all, four of the scheduled seven matches were postponed with waterlogged pitches and in the Hampshire Junior ‘B’ Cup three of the seven were called off. All have now been re-scheduled for this coming Saturday.

In the three Hampshire Junior ‘A’ Cup matches, two of the Basingstoke League clubs will go through to the second round, the one missing out was Basingstoke Athletic FC who lost 4- 1 at Brighton Hill to Aldershot League opponents Ropley FC. With two of their key players failing to appear they had the bare eleven with no linesman. They were to pay for this, as the opposition provided both linesmen and it was his decision that handed Ropley FC their opening goal in the 30th minute. Athletic had plenty of the play and Dale Bristow, Tobie Hyde and Nathan Read forced good saves before it came. The 25 yard shot that brought about the Ropley goal had hit the post, rebounded for James Loundon to save, but the flag man ruled it had crossed the line and the goal was given by the referee. This seemed to frustrate the home side and within five minutes they found themselves 3-0 down. In the second half Athletic were again well on top for most of the time and when Dean Maphosa made it 3-1 with a looping shot a recovery was on. It was not to be and after reverting to three at the back Athletic were caught on the break and Ropley netted their fourth.

Hook FC sailed through with a 7-1 victory against BTC Southampton FC at home. Even though the pitch had not been played on for six weeks, the King George V Playing fields had plenty of water on it and club members worked hard in the morning getting it fit for play. It took them 18 minutes to go in front. Andy Parker scoring after being set up by Andy Haig. It was just before half time when they went 2-0 up, a first time cross from Pete Silvester was met again by Parker who slammed in his second. In the 52nd good play by Dave White led to Haig making it three, but the Southampton side pulled a goal back in the 60th when Will Hill conceded a penalty for a foul and this was converted. Dan Mellors netted the fourth following a pass from Silvester and Haig scored his second in the 78th minute. With the game won Hook brought on subs and one of them Jack McKee played through for Aaron King who netted the sixth. Dave White scored the last goal after picking up a short corner from McKee.

Twentyten FC are through following a successful trip to Bournemouth where they defeated Bournemouth Electric FC ‘A’ 3-0. It was a good playing surface and the visitors could play their pasing game well. It took them five minutes to go in front, a short pass from Jake Tanner found Jordon Wainwright; he turned well and placed the ball past the keeper. A nice start for Alan Spacagna’s side and they remained in control and went two goals ahead in the 30th minute from a penalty. Joe Osborne played a one two with Tanner, he was floored by the keeper, who survived a red card and Osborne put the spot kick away. Twentyten had various chances to increase their lead and it came in the 80th when Tanner knocked the ball through to Ryan Lupton, who beat the keeper with a low shot on the turn.

Basingstoke League clubs did not fare so well in the Hampshire Junior ‘B’ Cup where only Basingstoke United FC are through to the second round, although Herriard Sports FC, Tron FC and Winklebury Wizards FC will have a chance when they play their postponed matches this Saturday. Basingstoke United FC were playing Burley FC from Bournemouth at Brighton Hill and convincingly won 6-1. It was a fine left footed finish from Callum Silcox that gave them a tenth minute lead and it soon became 2-0 when Gus Reis picked up a ball down the right channel and finished well. Burley hit back from a free kick taken by Tucker. This was in the 30th minute, but five minutes later Charlie Smith took a free kick, it fell to Silcox who played on for Joe Cook to volley in from six yards. United were well in charge in the second period and after Cook scored again with a shot in off the bar, Tom Hartley made it 5-1 from a cross by Reis. It was substitute Lewis Clayton who scored the sixth following a good run through the middle.

After their bright start to the season, TDI Group FC suffered their fourth defeat in a row when beaten 5-2 at Newfound by West End Rovers FC. Despite going a goal down after 15 minutes, they had a good first half and drew level through Connor Morey who took advantage of a mistake and stabbed his shot home. Within two minutes into the second half Graham Jenkins side took the lead, Toni Roworth scoring from inside the six yard box. In the 60th a mistake by the keeper gifted Rovers the equaliser. Things went downhill after this for the home side and playing poorly made more mistakes and two quick goals made it 4-2 and a late fifth ended their hopes.

There was no joy for AFC Berg on their trip to Bournemouth where they made their exit, well beaten 6-1 by Kings Park Rangers FC. With eight of their squad missing they were up against it from the start with their team including several young inexperienced players and a disastrous first half found them trailing 5-0 at the break. An improvement after this, but just the one goal in reply when Nathan Boyle beat two men, the keeper could only parry his shot and Kieran Alleyne followed up to net the rebound.

Overton United FC ‘B’ entertained AFC Burton Reserves from Bournemouth and crashed out beaten 5-1. They too were trailing 5-0 at half time, although Manager Pete Broom felt they played well and deserved better. Kyle Buckland had two good chances and Joe Holder hit the bar with a good effort. Although Overton had a good share of the second half, their only reply came from Reserve Team player Jamie Smith.