Shots find way back

THE first leg of this Hampshire Cup semi-final lived up to all expectations - but Basingstoke Town knew they let Aldershot off the hook after surrendering a two-goal lead.

In their bid to make the April 27 final at AFC Bournemouth's Dean Court, Town set about their Conference visitors with gusto and led 2-0 at half-time, only to concede two soft goals after the break as Aldershot rallied.

Town assistant boss Pete Peters said: "That was the worst part - that we gave away scrappy goals rather than Aldershot playing well to score them.

"It would've been nice to go there with an advantage, but there's no reason why we cannot beat them at the Rec.

"Our performance showed what we are capable of, and I was very proud of all of our outfield players, especially Roachy (Neville Roach) and Martin (Whiddett), who gave the two central defenders a torrid time."

Tuesday night's clash between the two county rivals appealed to the punters, 610 of whom packed into the Camrose to see who would gain the upper hand ahead of the second leg at the Recreation Ground on April 5.

That really should have been Basingstoke, who could have quite easily been 4-0 up at half-time, such was their dominance.

They got off to a great start after just two minutes when a 70-yard dash up the line from ex-Shots full-back Brett Cooper ended with a low cross that Whiddett, running to the near post, got something on.

Panicking defender Tobi Jinadu stuck out a leg and from five yards diverted the ball past goalkeeper Nikki Bull to send the Town faithful into raptures.

A buoyant Town then sought to make further inroads as they overwhelmed the Shots defence.

It was fast and furious. Sergio Torres ran through and was denied by Bull on the edge of the box, while live-wire Roach outpaced Brett Johnson and turned him twice before dragging a shot just wide.

Scott Tarr's goal-kick on 14 minutes was misjudged by Johnson and Roach - a thorn in Johnson and Jinadu's sides all night - got in behind them but lobbed wide of Bull with the goal open.

In a rare chance, Aldershot's Jon Challinor put a free header into Tarr's arms on 35 minutes.

Just before the interval, Roach got the goal he deserved when he latched on to another excellent pass from David Ray over the top of the defence.

This time, Roach succeeded in lobbing Bull on the edge of the area and netting.

A broadside from Terry Brown at half-time geed up his troops, who pulled one back on 57 minutes.

An innocuous-looking cross from Dwain Clarke on the left was equally innocuously headed on by Johnson from 12 yards out.

Tarr watched the ball sail over his head and bounce off the inside of the post before going along the goal-line where Scott Randall had an easy header in.

Tarr said afterwards he felt the ball was going out, as it hit off Johnson's head and shoulder before looping towards goal.

Town's immediate response saw Whiddett unfortunate when his overhead volley whistled past the far post after good work from David Stroud.

On 65 minutes, Roach had a great chance to make it 3-1 when he was sent through by Ray's flicked header, but, with only Bull to beat, the striker elected for power and Bull blocked well from point-blank range.

It was a costly miss, for Aldershot equalised three minutes later.

Jumping up with Mark Paterson, Randall clearly elbowed the defender, who fell to the ground in pain.

Referee Steve Mitchell, distracted as Torres returned to the pitch after injury, then saw a sprawled-out Paterson and looked as though he was going to blow for an offence, but never did. As the Town players stopped expectantly, Randall lobbed past an exposed Tarr from 20 yards.

Shots' Jake Robinson later hit a volley over the bar before Torres was afforded the opportunity to wrap up things for Town.

A free-kick from Jason Bristow up to Whiddett was headed on by the battling forward to his partner Roach, lurking centrally inside the area.

Holding off Johnson, Roach then fed the emerging Torres, who was kicked twice as he tried to take advantage and ended up firing over from 12 yards.

It ensured a stalemate and sets up a fascinating, finely-balanced encounter in two weeks.

Basingstoke Town: Scott Tarr, Brett Cooper, Neville Stamp, Jason Bristow, Mark Paterson, David Ray, German De La Vega, Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett, Neville Roach, David Stroud. Not used: Cristian Levis, Nathan Stamp, Ryan Stephens, Liam Castle, Ricky Allaway.

First published: Friday, March 18, 2005