Basingstoke & District League Match Reports from Sunday 10th September, By Tony Spencer.

The first half of the Division 1 match between Bramley United and Soldiers Return was dominated by the visitors, who hit their hosts hard on the break, and netted three goals on Sunday. The opening goal came from a cross that was slotted in by Stuart Cubbage. However, Tom Walsh equalised for Bramley with a free kick from 18 yards for 1-1 midway through the half. Soldiers restored their lead 1-2 with Bradley Goodman converting a corner kick, before Warren Hill doubled the lead through a free kick, Soldiers 1-3 at half-time. Despite missing four key players, Bramley bossed the second half and reduced the deficit to 2-3 early on, a cross by Simon Goff headed home by Neil Armstrong. Soldiers held on grimly to prevent leaking further goals and hung onto the three points.
After being three goals behind at the turn, and despite Luke Taylor’s brace in the 55th and 80th minutes, AFC Soldiers went down 2-5 to Republic of Chineham.
Both newcomers to Division 1, Chineham shook visitors North Warnborough with an 8-2 victory, five goals coming in the first half. Kieran Allyne set up Nathan Barlow to finish the opener, Allyne scored the second, Matt Kempson a third, Kevin Ridyard the fourth, and Allyne again for 5-0 at half-time. Alex Jeffers and Billy Shepherd replied for Boro, but Allyne added two more, and Barlow Chineham’s eighth.
Eastrop Eagles got the better of a late controversial penalty to claim the points in a 2-1 win over Hampshire Irons and top the league table. A long ball by Chris Arnold set up James Macintosh to shoot low under the keeper for Iron’s only reply.
At the top of Division 2 North Warnborough Reserves took the lead through Tom Davies after 20 minutes, with Ryan Upton levelling with a solo effort. After half-time Tom Lucas put Boro ahead with a screamer and Andy Parker consolidated the hosts’ lead on 60 minutes. Tyler Shayler set up Upton to reduce the lead to 3-2. Boro looked to have sealed the points when substitute Jack McKee lobed the keeper for 4-2 with ten minutes to go. Almost on the 90-minute mark, Tom Chant passed to Nathan Glasgow, who sold a dummy to set up Upton’s hat-trick and, two minutes into injury time, Shayler equalized 4-4 for UWS with a half volley at the near post.
Team FC filled their boots with a 12-1 win over Chineham Athletic. James Tennant began with a tap-in, Mitch Taylor netted one of his brace with a volley, Man of the Match Adam Everiss scored twice, one from 30 yards using the outside of his left foot to slice into the top corner. Connor McKenzie got a hat-trick, his best sent into the top left corner, and Lee Sappleton netted thrice, with another top left corner finish. Athletic’s consolation was netted by Chris Harrison.
Louis Woodman scored early with a header for Basingstoke Saints against Camrose Social. But the visitors proved far too strong for the division. Whilst the score was 1-2, Saints appealed for a cast-iron penalty but the Ref didn't see it their way and Camrose opportunely made it 1-3. Chris Waller scored three, Craig Atkinson one, and Gareth Slade struck a brace of screamers. The final score was 2-6, after Neil Woodward’s overhead kick netted late for Saints.
Overton United came from behind twice, before seeing off Kempshott 4-2. Gideon Vallence streaked down the right to put the visitors ahead and, after Overton equalised, James Hope’s volley restored a 1-2 lead, before a free kick levelled 2-2 at half-time. The game was decided in the second half by a goalmouth scramble and a breakaway one-on-one with the keeper. Kieron Fuller chalked up a hat-trick for Overton, with Nathan Rae adding via a free kick.
Shallow End lead 1-0 from a set-piece, but Joe Marsh equalised for Chineham Reserves, before George Hallahan edged the visitors ahead. Clayton Deakin added a third before Marsh secured the match with a fourth, 1-4, and they could have had more but for good work by the Shallow End keeper.