The dream is over for Stronstad Utd as they crashed out of the Hampshire Cup in a game that was littered with basic mistakes.
Stronstad made the long trip to Basingstoke looking to do well in the Junior B cup after a good run in the Junior C cup.
Stronstad started the brighter of the two sides but could not take advantage of the early pressure. From the side lines the Stronstad defence was looking very shaky with Nick Crocker and Jorge Morrison-Cooke not looking their normal self as they we all over the place which was a concern for Andy Stamp.
At the other end Stronstad put some nice passing moves together and this created a few shooting opportunities for Steve Beech who shot was well saved and a Rod Robertson 20 yard effort that the keeper held onto.
Stronstad did take the lead through Jorge Morrison-Cooke. Stronstad had been putting pressure on New Inn Athletics and they forced a corner. From the corner the ball was bouncing around the 6-yard box where Jorge Morrison-Cooke hooked the ball home via the post to give Stronstad the lead that they deserved.
The joy was short lived as yet more basic mistakes gifted New Inn Athletics a goal when Stronstad was looking comfortable. Nick Crocker won the ball then moved the ball up to the half way line but lost the ball to the New Inn Athletics player who played a long ball over Jon Way’s head which released the winger who sent a great lob over Ian Privett and into the net to draw the teams level.
Stronstad needed to lift themselves and yet more great passing moves saw Stronstad get into more attacking positions but they could not find a way past the New Inn Athletics keeper.
At the other end New Inn Athletics were running the 2 centre backs ragged and maybe should have gone 2-1 up as a defence splitting pass was collected by the New Inn Athletics striker but he fired wide of Ian Privett’s goal.
Half Time:- New Inn Athletics 1 Stronstad Utd 1
The second half kicked off with Stronstad on the attack again and they put the home side under pressure but some poor finishing from both teams kept the scores level.
Stronstad should have gone into the lead after a free kick from out wide was played to the New Inn Athletics back post where 3 Stronstad players came in but after getting a rush of blood to his head Jorge Morrison-Cooke handled the ball into the net which saw the goal disallowed and a stern talking to by the referee.
Rich Gillam was the next player to test the big New Inn Athletics goalkeeper out with a powerful drive, which the keeper spilled but gathered at the second attempt.
Stronstad then had Ian Privett to thank for keeping the scores level. Jorge Morrison-Cooke had pushed the New Inn Athletics player in the box and the referee awarded a penalty to the home side. Up stepped the New Inn Athletics player but Ian Privett saved his effort.
Soon after Andy Stamp made a double change with Adi Card and Steve Beech coming off and on came Roger Harris and Robert Pearson.
Straight away this almost resulted in a goal. A great through ball from Dan Moore saw Robert Pearson collect the ball but his cross come shot went wide with Roger Harris lurking at the back post.
The game was before an end-to-end affair as both teams giving cheap procession away but both teams again failed to take their chances.
With 15 minutes to go Stronstad took the lead again. Stronstad won a throw in deep in the New Inn Athletics half and from the throw in Robert Pearson launched the ball in which caused panic in the 6-yard box. Rod Robertson took a swing but the ball was blocked and then fell to Roger Harris who curled a great effort into the far corner with the keeper well beaten to make the score 2-1.
Stronstad could have gone 3-1 up as a great ball to the back post found Dan Moore but his powerful drive flew wide.
This lifted Stronstad but they were dealt a blow as goalkeeper Ian Privett injured himself as he collected a high cross and landed awkwardly. As Stronstad had no more subs left Mark Betteridge went in goal and the injured Ian Privett went upfront.
During this break in play New Inn Athletics made a change themselves and it was the sub that pulled his team level. A long ball from a throw in was flicked on and over Mark Betteridge to draw the teams level.
Just before full time Stronstad could have won the match with the last kick of the match. The ball was played into Robert Pearson but his low strike drifted wide.
Full Time:- New Inn Athletics 2 Stronstad Utd 2
In the extra time both teams again gave possession away and it was from a mistake at the back that saw Robert Pearson blaze wide and then James Clarke seeing his low drive well saved by the New Inn Athletics keeper. At the other end Mark Betteridge made a great one-on-one save from the New Inn Athletics striker, as he broke free.
In the second period of extra time with minutes to go Stronstad gifted New Inn Athletics a goal. From deep in the New Inn Athletics half a quick throw in from James Clarke caught Roger Harris out and the counter attack was on which saw a 3 vs. 1 attack. The ball was played to the New Inn Athletics player who slotted past Mark Betteridge to win the game.
It could have been worse but some fine saves from Mark Betteridge gave Stronstad a glimmer of hope but they ran out of steam as the referee blew the final whistle.
Full Time:- New Inn Athletics 3 Stronstad Utd 2
