A VALIANT effort by Romsey Town against Basingstoke Town in Wednesday’s North Hants Senior Cup final saw them fall just short as they lost 4-3 in an entertaining encounter. 

In a repeat of last year’s final Romsey were pitted against daunting opponents, who play at three levels and sixty places higher in the non-league pyramid, yet matched them for effort and commitment and came close to causing a major cup upset, writes Tony Galsworthy.

Town boss Andy Samuels was able to name experienced centre back Kieran Hancock in his starting lineup and his side started brightly forcing two corners in the first two minutes. But with just four minutes played ‘Stoke took the lead when Brown powered home a header.

Despite this early setback Town were playing incisive, passing football and were back on level terms in the 11th minute when Geoff Dunn’s pass into the box saw a clever step over by Tiago Moreno that released Liam Magee to steer a precision finish just inside the post. 

Town took the lead in the 24th minute when a long ball from defence was headed by Magee into the path of Charlie Hawes who galloped pass his marker and hit a fierce low drive beyond the ‘keeper’s despairing dive from the edge of the area. Miles Bartram was called on to make a brilliant low save to deny ‘Stoke an equaliser, as they dominated possession, but Romsey continued to look dangerous on the counterattack and the half ended with the underdogs’ noses deservedly in front.

As the second half got underway ‘Stoke signalled their intent with three corners in quick succession. Both Magee and George Ockwell were substituted with injuries, as ‘Stoke continued to spurn chances with Town’s defence holding firm, until it took a wonder strike from Wilson with a rocket shot into the top corner in the 72nd minute to drag his side level.

Two yellow cards for reckless challenges by Kokoszka saw ‘Stoke reduced to ten men, but his side responded with two headed goals from left wing crosses in the 81st and 83rd minutes. Romsey’s never say die spirit was rewarded when substitute Charlie Hewson curled a magnificent shot from the corner of the penalty area into the net in the 86th minute. In added time ‘Stoke’s veteran ‘keeper denied Romsey the prospect of extra time when he managed to smother a shot from Hawes in what proved to be the last action of the match.

Town’s fans cheered their team to the rafters for what was a magnificent effort that filled them with pride and optimism for what next season may hold if they can produce similar determination and finishing. This stirring performance contrasted with a rather tepid affair last Saturday when Romsey rounded off their League campaign with a goalless stalemate against Clanfield at The AEC Protection Ground. Town came closest to scoring in the 23rd minute when Hawes’s shot hit the post.

Josh Jeffrey came on as substitute and looked lively after a twelve match injury layoff but unfortunately suffered a hamstring strain ruling him out of the Final. Romsey finished in the season in tenth place in Wessex League Division One with 54 points.