Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2014 21:46:13 GMT
The match was delayed by 15 minutes for reasons unknown.
Tadley brought a large support who were noisy throughout. They also brought their mascot but stokie was missing for the homesters.
Tadley started the brighter but 'stoke took a grip on the game and looked the more likely. After several corners and near misses. Rob Rice fired in a shot from wide on the right which found the far corner of the net. Tadley responded well and forced three quick corners. On the stroke of half time Tadley should have equalised when a deflected free kick found a cental defender in front of the goal. However the shot from 5 yards was high and wide.
The visitors pressed early in the second half and the Basingstoke rearguard were guilty of some casual play. Tadley equalised when a good move down the left saw a first time cross and the centre forward nipped in to score at the near post. This prompted a pitch invasion and a flare was fired. It took several minutes for the pitch to be cleared and play resumed. For the only time in the match 'stoke looked as though they meant business. After several good moves a trip in the penalty box gave them a penalty and Louis Soares scored. Tadley were not finished and they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. There was a considerable delay in the kick being taken as apparently someone had stolen the net pegs. The kick was eventually taken and a central defender smashed it into the net in front of the large support. This prompted another large pitch invasion keeping the police and stewards busy chasing the many intruders around the pitch.
The penalty shoot out went Tadley's way despite being the first side to miss. This prompted another pitch invasion and wild celebration.
Basingstoke were only good in patches and never looked a team 4 or 5 levels above their opponents. Tadley were excellent and surely must be good bet to put a challenge in for promotion on tonights show. They were heroes all and great credsit must go to their manager and back up staff. Good luck to them in the next round.
RESULT: Basingstoke Town 2 Tadley Calleva 2
