Cup final ends in defeat

Basingstoke Town 3-1 Romsey Town

It wasn't to be for the Town last night as we fell to defeat in the North Hampshire Senior Cup final.

Taking on a side who will be playing three levels higher than us next season was always going to be a challenge but the Romsey side battled well and matched their opponents for large parts of the game.

The players shake hands before the game

Missing the likes of Miles Bartram, Charlie Hawes and Mark Fawley due to injury, Romsey started their final match of the season well as they looked to cause a big upset.

Basingstoke broke the deadlock on 20 minutes but it was not a reflection on the opening exchanges and when Jack Odam went close soon after, only being denied by a superb double save, it looked like the Isthmian League South Central champions were in for a battle.

However, just before the break, the 'Stoke doubled their lead to head into halftime 2-0 up.

Into the second 45 and Romsey raced out the blocks with a blistering start and it wasn't long before Odam halved the deficit when he showed fantastic composure to round the 'keeper and slot home.

Craig Bryant celebrates with Jack Odam after the latter scored

Romsey then battled hard for an equaliser but it was not to be as Basingstoke scored a third late on to wrap up the victory and seal their second trophy of the season. They have a chance to make it a treble next week when they compete in the Hampshire Senior Cup final.

See more photos here.

With that, it's another season complete for the Town. We go again next year! Thank you to everyone who has supported us this season.

Stay tuned for some big news coming soon...