For the second year running, Basingstoke Town have won the North Hampshire Senior Cup against Romsey Town in a seven goal thriller at Foxcotte Park.

Romsey, who are three leagues below the ‘Stoke, were leading for a majority of the game. 

Basingstoke were ahead just five minutes into the game after Shamar Moore’s delivery found Stefan Brown at the nest post, who directed his header past Miles Bartram. 

However, just a few minutes later, Romsey were level. Liam Magee found the bottom-right corner after a lovely combination outside the box by Geoff Dunne and Tiago Moreno. 

The Town took a shock lead inside half-hour after Liam Magee threaded through Charlie Hawes, who managed to hammer his volley past veteran Paul Strudley. 

HT: Basingstoke Town 1-2 Romsey Town

Basingstoke controlled the second-half and finally found an equaliser, with 20 minutes remaining, after Wilson’s arrowed his strike into the top corner. 

However just a few minutes after the goal, Aleks Kokoszka was sent off after a second yellow card. 

Irrespective of that, and with nine minutes left, Basingstoke took a deserved lead after Noah Chengun’s header found the back of the net. Shortly afterwards Basingstoke added a fourth with Brown’s volley firing past Bartram – surely that would wrapped up the game? 

Romsey, however, showed unbreakable spirit and even threatened another comeback when substitute Charlie Henson curled his effort from range past Strudley. 

FT: Basingstoke Town 4-3 Romsey Town

Despite strugglers Denmead leading at half-time, Colden Common extended their unbeaten run to eight games after their 4-1 win last night.

Early counter-attack by the Mead saw them ahead just inside three minutes. The Stallions believed there was a handball in the build-up, but Tayo Adekoya was able to strike past youngster James Egeland-Jensen.

Colden Common dominated after the goal. Alpay Ali’s header was directed straight at Ciaran Hards, before Matt Rylance managed to pick out Will Erdinc inside the box – whose effort went wide of the post. Matt Driver had this chance palmed away by the Mead keeper as Adekoya’s low drive from the free-kick was blocked by the wall.

Chances kept coming for the Stallions. Braden Collins and Ali combined outside the box, which allowed Rylance to have his effort comfortable saved by Hards with Driver’s strike also kept out. Brad Lethbridge’s delivery was met by Sam Middleton, who saw his header wide as the referee blew for half-time.

HT: Colden Common 0-1 Denmead

Seven minutes into the restart Colden Common were finally level after substitute Jack Darnton’s cross from the edge of the box managed to lob Hards.

Erdinc’s effort came close to giving the Stallions the lead four minutes later, but a near carbon copy of the first goal saw Lethbridge cross bounce over the Mead keeper as Colden Common completed a second-half comeback just inside ten minutes.

Former Petersfield Town defender Nathan Primus added his name to the scoresheet after his header saw Hards ball watching as Max Innalls failed to clear it off the line.

Rylance’s shot shortly afterwards was directed wide as John Holden managed to pick out Ali at the back post, but the Bulgarian failed to find the back of the net. However with two minutes left to go Ali managed to hold off Innalls, with the former Baffins marksman finding the bottom-left corner to wrap up the game.

FT: Colden Common 4-1 Denmead

What is next for both sides?

Both sides are back on the road this weekend.

Colden Common will travel to Kennels Lane as they take on already relegated Fleet Spurs. A win on Saturday could see the Stallions climb into the top four.

Denmead end their season with an away tie against Liss Athletic, with the club being one of the favourites to be relegated. Mead, Hayling United and Sway are all level on 32 points, with strugglers Moneyfields Reserves five adrift of the trio – they have two games in hand.

Liphook United boss Carl Harris understands how much pressure is on his side as they are one win away from winning the Hampshire Premier League after their 3-1 victory on Tuesday night against Moneyfields Reserves.

Moneys took an early lead through former Portsmouth midfielder Stan Bridgman but Ryan Angear, Marco Sellitto and Marcus Bedford were on target for the Blues to gain all three points in East Hampshire.

Victory for Liphook saw them pick up their 11th win from losing positions this season, which saw Harris praised his squad’s character after Tuesday’s comeback.

He told Winol: “It’s always going to be tough game [against Moneyfields Reserves], they are playing to stay in the league and had a few first team players playing for them – Stan Bridgman and Elliott Turnbull.

“The last few weeks people have been saying we should win the league and now it’s just us to close it out.”

‘We are a second-half team’

Harris told Winol: “People have been saying – ‘how are Liphook going to win the league, they are not that good.’ I agree with people saying ‘we’re a second-half team’ and it’s nothing to do with other than character.

“The character of my team is the best I know, that is the 11th time this season we have come back from behind and won. That’s character so when we look like we’re down and out, we’re not.

“People can say whatever they like, it’s just one more now.”

One more win

Saturday afternoon could see Liphook become winners of the Hampshire Premier League for the first time since 2012. 

A win on Saturday against rock bottom Fleet Spurs will see the Blues win the league with four games to spare.

Fleet have only two league wins all season, Liphook will certainly go into the game as favorites.

The two sides met earlier this month as the Blues took home all three points at Kennels Lane.

“It’s the day we wanted,” said Harris. “At home [on a Saturday], our Reserves are playing before us – the whole club will be here, and that is something no one can take away from us.

“It will be tough [against Fleet Spurs], only won 3-2 against a good side. Every game is tight, and we will probably make hard work of it but I don’t care as long as we get our day.”