BASINGSTOKE Town travelled to William Shakespeare country to try and get their season off the mark after two losses.

Stratford started the brighter and on 11 minutes Trey Braithwaite saw his shot from the edge of the box deflected with the ball arriving in the arms of Basingstoke keeper Alex Tokarczyk.

Town replied and Tamille Roach made good progress down the left wing. He delivered an excellent low cross into the penalty box with ‘Where art thou Romeo ?’ written all over it.

Somehow the ball eluded the strikers and George Bennett saw his effort at the back post smothered by Stratford keeper Niall Cooper.

Stratford took the lead on 15 minutes. Following a high cross from the left Mike Taylor rose highest to knock down in the penalty box.

The Stratford players re-acted quickest and after the first shot was blocked Guy Clark fired home a low shot from 15 yards.

With Stratford on top good hold up play from Richard Gregory on 25 minutes saw Trey Braithwaite bring a save from Tokarczyk.

On 35 minutes the Basingstoke goalkeeper was called into action again with a good save from a free kick Will Grocutt.

The Dragons replied and a shot from George Bennett brought a save from Nial Cooper.

On 40 minutes Basingstoke struggled to clear a high left wing cross into the penalty box and Jamie Sheldon was unlucky to see his shot blocked.

Three minutes later, the home side should have doubled the lead. Tokarczyk came far outside his goal to clear a long pass.

He was beaten to the ball by Richard Gregory who took the ball round the goalkeeper. He delivered a perfect cross to Mike Taylor who somehow managed to head past an empty goal.

On the stroke of half time a left corner from Basingstoke resulted in a scramble within the Stratford box.

A home defender handled the ball and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. George Bennett struck the penalty hard but goalkeeper Niall Cooper made a good save diving to his right.

During half time Terry Brown probably said ‘Young Stokies, forwards and defenders, lend me your ears. We have come here to bury Stratford not to praise them’.

The effect was immediate. On 46 minutes a good flowing move saw the ball come to Michael Atkinson who brought a save from Niall Cooper.

Basingstoke continued attack and Tamille Roache had several good runs down the left wing.

The pressure finally paid off on 55 minutes. A high left wing cross saw Nial Cooper struggling to gather the ball.

George Bennett gained possession and set up George Hallahan who scored with a low shot.

Four minutes later Roache created a good chance for Hallahan and the young striker brought out and excellent save from Niall Cooper.

Stratford started to respond and on 61 minutes Trey Braithwaite brought a save from Tokarczyk.

On 70 minutes a free kick on the left for Stratford saw a good delivery by Will Grocutt but Guy Clarke headed wide at the back post.

On 87 minutes Kieren Westwood went on a run from his own half through the ‘stoke defence but his final effort went just past the post.

Terry Brown did not return with his ‘pound of flesh’ from Stratford but would have been encouraged with the performance of his young charges in the early part of the second half.

Not quite ready for the Globe Theatre yet but perhaps worthy of another audition which will be on Tuesday against Hayes and Yeading.