The 2025/26 season kicked off with Basingstoke Town hosting Wimborne Town at the Winklebury Football Complex in what proved to be a perfect opening display for the home side. In front of a lively crowd, Basingstoke ran out 2-0 winners, with goals from George Reid and debutant Charlie Austin securing all three points, writes Jake Hastings.
Before the game, Stoke made headlines after announcing the signing of former Premier League striker Charlie Austin just a day earlier. The 36-year-old joins Stoke from AFC Totton, where he played last season and helped the club earn promotion from the Southern League Premier Division to the National League South.
As well as Austin, the likes of Brad Wilson, Joe O’Laughlin, Joel Rollinson, and Elliot Legg all made their league debuts for the club.
It was almost the perfect start for Stoke, as Wilson’s effort was cleared off the line just minutes in. Moments later, Wimborne came close when Joe Ryan’s cutback found William Fletcher, whose close-range effort struck the underside of the bar.
Stoke fans didn’t have to wait long for their side’s first goal of the season because, with seven minutes played, they took the lead. George Reid seemed to have been tackled in the box, but fortune was on his side as the tackle deflected off his knee and over Cameron Plain in the Wimborne goal.
There was then a flurry of chances as both sides looked to take control of the game. Wilson’s first effort sailed just over, and his second was comfortably saved. Josh McQuid then had a strike for the away side as he latched onto a loose ball and fired goalwards, which flew just past the post.
Billy Upton then kept the score at 1-0 going into the break, recovering brilliantly to clear Fletcher’s looping header off the line after it had beaten Grant and looked to be heading in.
Much like the first half, neither side could take full control of the game, but it was the home side who had the first chance, as Reid’s volley curled just past the upright.
Grant was then called into action as he pulled off an excellent acrobatic save to deny Cameron Munn’s looping volley. Minutes later, Stoke almost doubled their lead. A well-worked move ended with Robbie Gallagher, but his near post effort was saved by Plain.
It was then Wimborne’s turn as Lewis Williams was played through, but he couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet and was met by the onrushing Grant.
With around ten minutes left of normal time, the home side were given a chance to double their lead after Gallagher latched onto a loose ball and was brought down by Plain inside the box.
Basingstoke’s number nine, debutant Charlie Austin, who came on halfway through the second period, stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball past Plain, making it 2-0.
The visitors had time for one more chance in added time. Williams’ curling effort looked destined for the top corner, but again, Grant pulled off a superb save, tipping the ball over the bar.
It was the perfect start to the season for Basingstoke, who will return to action this coming Tuesday night, as they travel to Worcestershire to face Evesham United.
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