Ladies wrap up league title (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Ladies wrap up league title

8:00am Sunday 29th January 2012 in Sport

BASINGSTOKE Town Ladies secured the Southern League division one title with a game to spare thanks to a nervy 5-4 victory over Reading Ladies at Winklebury on Sunday.

Town went into the game knowing that they would be crowned champions if they avoided defeat to a side struggling near the foot of the table.

However, it was a far from straightforward afternoon and Basingstoke got a taste of things to come early on, Reading hitting the crossbar from a free-kick, with Lindsey Beverley heading the ball off the line.

Town did take the lead after six minutes, Justine Mosley’s through-ball being converted by Sam Mosley, while Katie Randell almost doubled the lead, her effort hitting the post.

Reading showed they would not roll over by levelling the scores and while Town regained the lead through Justine Mosley two minutes later, the visitors drew level for a second time just after the half-an-hour mark.

Beverley played in Randell to ensure that Basingstoke led at the break but Reading hit back to equalise again early in the second half.

Town went ahead for the fourth time in the match on 66 minutes, Randell crossing for Tracey Jones to place an excellent looping header over the ’keeper, while Justine Mosley making it 5-3 eight minutes later.

Still the drama was not over as Reading got to within one goal by scoring their fourth of the afternoon with two minutes to go – but Basingstoke held on to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league and seal the title.

Manager Luke Higgins said: “We have gone close a couple of times, just missing out last year, so it was good to finally win promotion.

“It was important that we made it this year but everyone has worked hard.

“It’s been a good season and we really want to win our last league game to make it a 100 per cent season, which would be a brilliant achievement.

“It was a bit closer than I would have liked against Reading and we did not play very well.

“They looked a bit nervous to start with and made some mistakes they would not normally make.”

Captain Michelle Kimber added: “It feels amazing to be champions. We have been trying for a few seasons and failed so it is great to have claimed the title.”