BASINGSTOKE Town Ladies overcame cup semi-final heartache to move up to third in the Southern League Premier Division.

The ladies crashed out of the North Hampshire Cup with an extra-time defeat to visiting Maidenhead United last Wednesday, but they bounced back in fine style, beating Fleetlands Ladies 3-1 on Sunday.

Against Maidenhead, Tracy Jones, Sam Mosley, Josette Pearmine and Charlie Fry all went close for Town in the first half, but there were no goals scored before the break.

Maidenhead took the lead from a free-kick early in the second half, but Jones levelled the game with five minutes to go, converting Justine Mosley’s pass to force extra-time.

The visitors scored what proved to be the winning goal in the second minute of the additional period, earning a place in the final.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Basingstoke, but they responded well to beat Fleetlands in another home game four days later.

Jones opened the scoring after eight minutes, with Lindsay Beverley and Lianne Hill both going close before Fry doubled the lead from Jones’ cross.

The hosts added a third goal five minutes before the break, Ayala Truelove converting from the penalty spot after new signing Naomi Greene had been brought down in the area.

Fleetlands managed to pull a goal back early in the second half, but Town saw the game out and sit third in the table ahead of a trip to bottom side Aldershot Town this weekend.

Basingstoke Town Ladies Reserves will play AFC Bournemouth Ladies for the Hampshire League Junior Cup after reaching the final with a 2-1 win over visiting Bournemouth Sports.

The visitors took an early lead but Rebecca Lee’s brace, scored either side of the break, won the game for Basingstoke.