Basingstoke Town find themselves lying in sixth place in the Ryman League Premier Division table this morning after recording back-to-back 1-0 victories against Hitchin and Hampton & Richmond over the Christmas weekend.
It is Stoke's highest placing of the season and, with table-toppers Aldershot going down 1-0 to second-placed Farnborough yesterday, the results leaves them just nine points off the pace with games in hand over both their North Hampshire rivals.
Dominic Naylor was the hero of Saturday's win at Hitchin. Jason Bristow's long throw-in created panic in the home defence and the half-cleared ball found Naylor on the edge of the box from where he drilled in the 34th minute decider.
And one goal was enough for Stoke at home to Hampton & Richmond yesterday with the all-important goal arriving after just 11 minutes.
In trying to clear a left-wing cross, a Hampton defender completely missed his kick to hand Sean Gorman a belated Christmas present from barely six yards out.
Hampton & Richmond were reduced to ten men early in the second half when Leroy Griffiths was red-carded for throwing a punch at Jason Bristow.
Gorman saw his effort disallowed for a foul on the keeper after he pounced on a weak back pass and Tim Sills suffered a similar fate when the keeper slipped following another poor back pass.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article