RS Basingstoke 3 Winchester City Reserves 2

RS BASINGSTOKE retained the Basingstoke Senior Cup after a five-goal thriller against Winchester City Reserves at the Camrose Ground on Friday night.

Brian Cook was the RS hero on the night, scoring two goals, while substitute Simon Neller, a late replacement for Paul Coachman, who withdrew after being named on the bench, scored the other with his first touch of the game.

City started the better, opening the scoring after 13 minutes as Matty Owen was found in acres of space by a long pass and was able to lob the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

That stung RS, who had the better of the rest of the half. On 35 minutes, Gary Jones was sent clear by Daniel Winterbourne, who was brought down by Gavin Flye with the City man given the benefit of the doubt by referee John Nichols.

However, four minutes later, City were not so lucky as a Winterbourne corner was headed goalwards by Lee Hughes but he was denied the score as defender Russell Vowles pushed the ball away with his hand.

Nichols had no choice but to send off the City man and Cook converted the spot-kick after 41 minutes to make it 1-1.

Despite being down to 10 men, City had the better of the early exchanges until an inspired substitution by manager Chris Townley sent on Neller.

Moments later, he was tapping the ball into the net to give RS the lead on 77 minutes after City 'keeper Darren Crowfoot was unable to hold a Tom Clayson shot.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Owen netted his second of the game, beating the offside trap to fire home from the edge of the area.

RS were not to be denied their trophy and, from an excellently rehearsed free-kick, they got the winner.

The impressive Peter Pike whipped in a free-kick from the right and Cook's glancing header found the back of the net, leaving Crowfoot no chance.

Lee Hughes collected the cup from Tony Sumner, vice-president of the Basingstoke and District Football League.

Two-goal hero and man-of-the-match Cook said: "It was a great win and full credit to all the boys. I may have got the man-of-the-match award but it was the team that won the trophy."

RS Basingstoke: Tim Hyde, Toby Hyde, Peter Pike, Lee Hughes, Marc Fox, Stuart Bye (sub Simon Neller 76min), Tom Clayson. Gary Jones, Brian Cook, Dale Bristow, Danny Winterbourne. Subs (not used) Bruce Davis, Darren Barham.

Winchester City Res: Darren Crowfoot, Russell Vowles, Gavin Flye (sub Paul Findlay 85min), Darren Turner, Kevin Tugwell, Paul Roberts, Jason Ahmet, Andy Chainey (sub Tim Kidney 85min), Matty Owen, Michael Jackson, Simon Daunter.