Peter Houseman U15 League

Basingstoke & NHCC U15 1 v Ludgershall Sports U15 0

Sport's played this game with a depleted nine man squad against a team unbeaten for the last two seasons. Manager Nigel Mead and coach Simon Poultney quickly decided Callas Transport sponsored would field a 5 - 2 - 1 formation in an effort to stifle the home attack. ''This will be a no contest'', ''A massacre'', ''Why did they bother turning up'' were phrases being uttered by the home supporters. Into the fray stepped Ryan O'Shea, Craig Stephens, Chris Paddy, Curtis Tough, Jacob Wise, Jake Reeve, Ben Hollis, Philip Bartle and Thomas Mead.  If medals were awarded for courage, commitment, team spirit and running yourself into the ground in the face of overwhelming odds these nine boys would stand tall on the top podium. Basingstoke started like a team looking to amass a score line like their name suggests a cricket score! Their first venture produced a superb save from keeper Ryan O'Shea. Ludgershall were absorbing all the home pressure, and up front Tom Mead, the solo striker was relentless, but was allowed little space as three defenders towered over him, and played any Ludgershall threat into their safety zone. Curtis Tough was masterful in the back five and Basingstoke were increasingly frustrated as Sport's defence held firm. Ryan O'Shea was in excellent form and a faultless display had only one lapse, as the home team crossed the ball fell and was smashed into the roof of the net from close range. Basingstoke tried to use the space created by the two extra players, but Philip Bartle, Jacob Wise and Chris Paddy hounded and chased every ball. The tactical choice of playing a flat back five was working to  perfection as Sport's invited the Basingstoke strikers forward, and competently  dealt with every attack. It may have been a constant barrage on Sport's goal, with the Basingstoke keeper a spectator, but this was a team display this writer has never witnessed from this squad. Half time came and the constant drizzle had started, but Ludgershall were still in this game at 1 - 0 down.

The second half proved more of the same, 'The Battle ofthe Alamo', ‘The 300 Spartans', all through history there have been defining moments, this was a defining game. Sport's proved moreover to themselves they are a team with heart,  soul, spirit and skill who on their day and with a full squad can only go one  way, forward. Sport's were first to every tackle, but a crunching lunge on Chris  Paddy reduced the nine to eight, even with a three man advantage Basingstoke  could not breach this disciplined back line, and if they did penetrate up  stepped Ryan O'Shea. Despite injury Chris returned to the action, Basingstoke hit the post late on but the score line remained 1 - 0. Sport's left the field wet and exhausted and deservedly full of pride on their achievement. This was an amazing accomplishment equally acknowledged by those early Basingstoke doubters at the start.

South Wilts Youth & Badger Friendly

Ludgershall Sports U11 3 v South Newton & Wishford U11 5

Sports started this friendly with an experimental starting line up and despite good early pressure with efforts from Arthur Robinson and Michael Rowley failed to take advantage. Curtis Topham was in fine form as the keeper is starting to believe in his potential, but South Newton got into their stride and there was nothing he could do to prevent a long range shot that rolled past him and bounced in off the post. Sweeper Nathan Collins made a last ditch tackle in the box but played the ball across the goal to an on running attacker who sweetly struck the ball home. As South Newton continued to press forward the Mick Walsh managed side lost shape as they chased the ball and failed to pick out the players. Cullum Bannerman was running through the middle of the park and out wide Michael Rowley hounded the defence but was always trapped by the last man. A superb ball through the middle split the Sport's defence for the visitor's third tucked sweetly into the corner. With the visitor's pressing George Robinson showed his defending class as he calmly swept the ball off the line. South Newton seemed to want the ball more and were rewarded with a fourth as an air shot from a defender failed to connect and the ball found Sport's net.  Late in the half Sport's put Michael Rowley through for their first real attempt of the half, but his chip over the keeper sailed past the post. 0 - 4 at half time to the visitor's.

A dressing room moment of truth talk and changes in line up and shape proved the inspiration Sport's needed. Sean MacDonald was installed as lynch pin  in the centre of defence, and Nathan Collins was given a free roll in right  midfield with the combination of strength and power from Adam Hetherington and  Ryan Proud in a power house midfield. The talk and tactics paid dividends as Nathan Collins completed a positive run through middle and stuck the ball into the net. The introduction of Daniel Keel on the wing provided width and speed and he latched onto a superb through ball from Adam Hetherington only to see his effort cleared off the line. This was a totally different display from the first period as Sport's displayed a belief in their game. Curtis Topham saved South Newton's only real second half chance, and with Ryan Proud's penetrating throw-ins Sport's were getting back into this game. Nathan Collins rode a challenge and his luck, ran at the defence and shot, the keeper got a hand to the ball but not enough to prevent Sport's second. The team was on the up, Wayne Ashton provided momentum on the wing and Brandon White / Craig Britten started to live their defenders role. Another Nathan Collins run released Arthur Robinson who to the delight of the crowd slotted home. 4 - 3 down Arthur was prevented with a golden opportunity but failed to connect. Late on Ryan Proud saw a long range shot fly past the upright. All Sport's hard  earned second half rewards was undone as South Newton slotted home near the end  as a pass to the wing was hammered home.

Mike Collins