Basingstoke & District League Match Reports from Sunday 24th February, By Tony Spencer.

Soldiers Return were hosts to Mucky Duck on Sunday in the Kelvin Cup quarter-final and were the better team in the opening minutes with Soldiers taking an early 2-0 lead, writes Tony Spencer. The opener came after 5 minutes from a long throw netted at close range by Jamie Galpin. Then a cross by Cobi Judd on 8 minutes was converted by Stu Cubbage. But Winchester side Mucky Duck took a 2-3 lead by half-time due to mistakes by Soldiers' defence against a big physical side who proved to be excellent on set pieces. In the second half, every time Soldiers scored, within minutes the visitors would score again to go in front again. Ellis set up Galpin to fire from a tight angle into the roof of the net for 3-3, 4-4, a long throw to Andy Darmody was hit home on the volley, then a penalty was awarded after Judd was taken out in the box, and Freddie Cloke scored from the spot. Finally, in normal time, with 8 minutes left, a throw gave substitute Luke Morgan a volley into the net off the underside of the bar, 6-6. Into extra time by about 5 minutes, a long throw was slotted in by Cubbage. There were late chances to win but were missed and the play ended 7-7 after extra time. After two misses by Soldiers, the penalty shootout ended 2-3 to Mucky Duck.

In the other quarter-final
tie Arms SMB were beaten 2-4 by Republic of Chineham.

Team FC were beaten 2-4 by a strong Tidworth Town team in the North Hants Senior Cup semi-finals.

In the North Hants John Ward Cup semi-finals, FC Wildebeest Reserves were beaten 1-2 by visitors New Park Rangers, thanks to strikes from Simon Harrison and Tom Starbuck. Rangers have now gone nine games undefeated.

Bramley United lost their first Division 1 league game of the season against a very dominant Tadley Tigers. The first half was goalless despite end to end football, with both teams having good chances. The moment of the half was a free kick on the edge of the area when Jake Young was clearly taken down and could easily have been a spot kick. Young followed this up by hitting the upright. In the second half the home team Tadley dominated throughout and were a goal up after substitute Matt Goodenough danced round the Bramley right back and slotted into the bottom corner. The next two goals came from another substitute, Ollie Hunt, who tapped in both from 2 yards out, with assistance by Luke Maclean after great passages of play from the Tigers. This 3-0 defeat for Bramley ended their run of five games unbeaten in all competitions.

Hampshire Irons took a 0-2 lead away at Chineham, but with a bare 11 players and no substitutes, the longer the game went on the more they tired. Iron's Alex Brundle had opened the scoring from the 6 yard box on the end Jack Miller's cross. Then Ryan Tucker hit the crossbar and Alfie Jones was on hand to finish nicely. Chineham were on top for most of the second half and drew level with two goals, one scored by Goater, and in the last two minutes edged it with an own goal to win 3-2.

Brookvale United took the lead at Eastrop Eagles with a screamer from outside the box from skipper Tommy L’Heureux, the 'Vale captain's first league goal of the season. However, a defensive error from Dan Mole let Eagles in to level before leading scorer Adam Aimable raced through to power a left-footed strike past the keeper to give the visitors 'Vale a 2-1 lead. Keeper Brodie Good then conceded a penalty but picked himself up to save the spot kick well with a dive to his left, leaving the score 1-2 at the break. In the second half Nathan Duncombe followed in an Aimable strike for 1-3 and Aimable headed home a perfectly placed free kick from Stuart Jarvis for 1-4. Eastrop pulled one back in a late rally to 2-4 but the visitors held on for three crucial points towards survival, the result being their first league double. Nathan Bennis and substitute Tom Green scored for Eagles.

Division 2 leaders Camrose Social were beaten 3-2 away at Chineham Cavaliers, who are unbeaten now in their last eight home games. Ryan Lupton and Matthew Foreman from the penalty spot scored for Camrose.

After a string of poor results Shallow End went into the game wanting to take all 3 points. The first half started slowly with very few chances for either team and remained that way until the break. A tactical change at half time made all the difference for FC Shallow End. Within 10 minutes Charlie Eldridge volleyed the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0. Callum Elson scuffed a shot which was met by Taku Hwehwe who was there to tap in. Shallow End were awarded a penalty after Elson was brought down inside the box. It was Elson who stepped up and made it 3-0. Callum Rump scored the goal of the game after a string of quick passes killed the game. The game finished 4-0 with FC Shallow End completing the triple over South Ham Saints.

Ryan Bennett's goal helped AFC Basing earn a 1-1 draw with Kempshott.

Overton United earned an exciting 5-5 draw at home to Basingstoke Saints.