HERRIARD Sports pulled off a shock in the final of the Basingstoke B Cup on Saturday, beating favourites Basingstoke Athletic 2-0 to lift the trophy at Winklebury.

Athletic had the wind behind them in the first half and they were on the front foot early on. Matt Button and Dave Trevellion were unable to make the most of early chances, while Tobie Hyde saw his shot blocked as Herriard defended manfully.

The underdogs went close on the half hour, Craig Lewington volleying inches over from Sam Weber’s cross, but the best chance of the first half fell to Button. He did brilliantly to beat three men and cut into the box, only to fire over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.

Ryan Evans failed to make the most of a one-on-one with Herriard goalkeeper John Hamill shortly after the break, but Sports were able to get a grip on the game as the second half progressed.

Weber gave them the lead on 57 minutes, breaking from halfway before calmly slotting home. Karl Buttle almost got a second soon after, Sean Martin making the save, but the Athletic goalkeeper was unable to prevent Weber doubling the lead from Martin Miles’ low centre on 70 minutes.

Herriard held on with little incident to lift the cup for the first time in their 78-year history.

Hook will meet Rising Sun DC in the final of the Peter Raynbird Cup later this month after beating Sherborne St John 4-3 in the last four.

Dan Mason opened the scoring from Aaron King’s cross after three minutes, putting Hook ahead, and another King cross led to Andy Haig doubling the lead soon afterwards.

Alex Izzo’s cross led to an own goal that got Sherborne back into the game, but Mason’s second had Hook 3-1 up early in the second half. 

Sherborne hit back to draw level, with Spencer Champ scoring from a corner and Dec Shuttleworth running onto Izzo’s pass to equalise.

However, Hook were not to be denied and they grabbed the winner with seven minutes remaining, substitute Andy Parker volleying home from James Westwood’s pass.