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VT continued their scoring spree with 4 goals against an inexperienced Basingstoke side. It did though, take extra time for the home side to take advantage of Basingstoke's makeshift back line and secure a place in the Hampshire Senior Cup in expense of the cup's current holders.
In what was a somewhat uneventful first half, most notably the 10 minute floodlight failure, Frank Gray's side found it difficult to break down VT's defence although the pace of Tucknott, Tarpey and Stephens did cause trouble.
The second half proved to be more eventful with David Tarpey giving the away side something to cheer about, courtesy of some good work from Ogunbote as Tarps attacked the low cross and finished well.
Basingstoke were denied a penalty soon after, when a flicked through ball was stopped with a definate hand from a VT player and as the referee touched his head in suggestion that it hit the respective players forehead, the linesman waved his flag before immediately holding it down.
VT then equalised that minute, a quick ball through and a scramble ensued which ended with the ball nestling in the back of the net. Substitute Ruggles fired a fierce shot across the 'keeper with minutes to spare to put his side 2-1 up but 'Stoke were unable to hold on and VT made Basingstoke pay with an equalising goal deep into stoppage time.
With Basingstoke out of substitutes and VT bringing on some fresh legs, both sides pressed for a winner and 8 minutes into extra time, the ball fell to Ruggles who was unable to convert.
VT then took the lead for the first time in the game, with a low cross into the box that Basingstoke were unable to clear. Basingstoke pushed on, with the Matt Warner told to stay forward and the defensive line quite a way up. A quick free kick was taken for the home side on the half way line and a speedy run and tidy finish put the game, and Basingstoke's hopes of reaching St Mary's to rest.
JaMiller's Man of the Match:
Sido Jombarti - Sido received much praise from all around the ground with his performance in an unfamiliar centre back role but stepped up to the job and made some vital interceptions and challenges as well as being, what seemed, Basingstoke's only aerial presence.
Basingstoke: Chris Waller, Miles Mitchell-Coop, Robbie Watkins (C), Jide Ogunbote, Sido Jombarti, Sam Tucknott, Jerome Maledon (Phil Ruggles), Ian Jones(Sean Hankin), Ryan Stephens (Allan Tait), David Tarpey, Matt Warner.
Subs not used: Ross Kitteridge, Tom Williamson
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