Basingstoke Town 4 Corinthian Casuals 1
SEAN Gorman scored all four goals in this Suburban Shield semi-final at the Camrose Ground on Tuesday evening to pitch Town against Northwood Victoria in the final at Thatcham next Thursday.
It took Basingstoke 21 minutes to wear down Casuals. Simon Herbert's cross was nodded down by Ian Dickens and Gorman finished from a tight angle. Soon after, Rob Deacon forced a good save from 'keeper Chris Offer.
The visitors almost equalised in the 36th minute with a great volley from Nick Azagba but, fortunately for goalkeeper Clive Lyttle, the shot whistled a foot wide. A minute later, Lyttle dived at the feet of Nick Hudson to stop a chance and at this stage Casuals looked the better side.
Words were said in the dressing room at half-time by manager Peter Gray and things improved. In the 52nd minute, his side were awarded a penalty when Herbert was fouled and Gorman obliged from the spot.
Basingstoke were now in control but, in the 70th minute, Glen Mattiville was gifted a goal after the home defenders failed to cut out a cross from the left.
Toby Sumner came on as sub in the 74th minute to add skill to the midfield and, five minutes later, Gorman completed his hat-trick after cleverly controlling a high clearance kick.
Although surrounded by three men, he managed to slam into the net from 15 yards.
Basingstoke were now in full cry for more goals, with Dickens hitting the top of the bar and also shooting a chance wide. In the fourth minute of added time came the fourth home goal. Deacon beat the offside trap that had hampered their efforts all evening and unselfishly laid on a tap-in for Gorman.
Basingstoke Town Reserves: Lyttle, Herbert (sub Toby Sumner), Williams, Hemmings, Foster, Vine, Layton, Dickens, Gorman, Deacon, Christy. Subs not used: Ben Sumner, Wallace, Glover, Zawadskei.
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