Windsor and Eton 4, Basingstoke Town 0

BASINGSTOKE Town continued their recent woeful form in national cup competitions as they crashed out of the FA Trophy 4-0 at Windsor and Eton.

As in the FA Cup last month, Town found lower-league opposition too hot to handle in their opening match of this year's tournament.

Manager Ernie Howe was left frustrated and looking for answers as to why this happens to his side, who are currently riding high in third place in the Conference South.

He said: "We weren't there in this tie and we were slaughtered. I don't know whether it is something between the ears, but it happens every time we play lower-league sides.

"We had a lot of players out there looking as if they had nothing in the tank today, whether that is because they are not used to playing at this level, I don't know."

"I can put my hand up and say I changed the system to 3-5-2, which I thought was right for us away from home. We changed it back to 4-4-2 after the second goal, but it made no difference."

One advantage for Town is that their next match is now on Saturday at home to Dorchester after Basingstoke's scheduled away game at Havant tonight was moved back a week to accommodate an FA Trophy replay.

In Windsor, Town were soon in trouble as the home side started the better and goalkeeper Scott Tarr was forced to save from Peter Holsgrove after a free-kick from Dave Carroll.

The opening goal came on nine minutes, as David Ray slipped on the right wing, allowing Peter Holsgrove time and space to cross for Lewis Cook to make no mistake from 15 yards as he volleyed past Tarr.

Basingstoke could have equalised three minutes later as Sergio Torres' short corner saw Jamie McClurg deliver in a cross that picked out the unmarked Neville Roach, who headed wide.

The home side made it 2-0 on 27 minutes as Peter Holsgrove produced a great cross which was met beautifully by his brother Paul from six yards out.

At that point Howe brought on Neville Stamp for Rob Chamberlain and changed his formation.

However, Paul Holsgrove fired wide soon after, before Ray and Torres combined, with Martin Whiddett chesting down for Torres to shoot wide,

The tie was over as a contest just before the break as, with more than a hint of offside, Paul Holsgrove went one-on-one with Tarr and rounded the goalkeeper.

Tarr appeared to make some sort of contact and a penalty was awarded, with Basingstoke's number one also shown a yellow card.

Peter Holsgrove made no mistake with the spot kick to give Windsor a 3-0 lead at half-time.

For the start of the second half Cristian Levis came on for Nathan Stamp.

A good run from Torres saw Whiddett shoot tamely from 18 yards. That was his last contribution to the game as he was replaced by Garry Haylock.

Soon after, a looping cross from Neville Stamp was headed wide by Levis off the top of his head.

On 55 minutes, Windsor added a fourth as Morgaro Gomis, with a ball from the left wing, bypassed the home defence and allowed Carroll to collect and fire low past Tarr.

l The draw for the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup has been made with Town drawn away to Lymington and New Milton, who drew with Conference side Woking last Saturday in the FA Cup, before losing in a replay.

Town: Scott Tarr, Brett Cooper, Ricky Allaway, Jason Bristow, Rob Chamberlain (sub Neville Stamp 28mins), David Ray, Jamie McClurg, Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett (sub Gary Haylock 54mins), Neville Roach, Nathan Stamp (sub Cristian Levis 45mins). Subs (not used): Liam Parrington, Dan Weait.