Basingstoke Town delivered a composed and clinical away performance to defeat Sholing 4–1 and complete a perfect December in the league, with six points from six and five goals scored across their final two fixtures of the year.
Basingstoke welcomed back Tom Blake and George Reid to the starting XI, while Reading loanee Joe Barough made his debut. They remained without Ore Bello, Jack Ball, James Dickson, Chieck Sylla and Josh Green, but the defence was unchanged following the clean sheet against Evesham.
On a cold but bright afternoon, we, the visitors chose to play into the wind in the first half but with the glare of the sun behind us, and we made the ideal start. After five minutes Dre found space on the half turn and released George Reid beyond the Sholing defence who was brought down in the penalty area. James Clark converted from the spot – a finish the watching Matt Le Tissier would have been proud of, to give Basingstoke an early lead.
Robbie Gallagher then dispossessed the experienced Sam Magri and created a good opening for Barough, whose shot was saved before the rebound was blocked. Reid was later booked for simulation after going down in the box despite strong claims, while at the other end Michael Folivi tested Simon Grant with a shot on the turn, Joe O’Loughlin clearing the loose ball off the line.
The second goal arrived on 27 minutes when Blake found space on the right and drove a low cross to the far post, where Gallagher arrived to finish from close range. Reid appeared to be tripped again shortly afterwards, but the referee again waved play on.
Sholing were handed a route back into the contest shortly before the interval when Scott Armsworth was penalised in the area. Folivi converted the 42nd minute penalty to reduce the deficit, and Grant then denied Brad Targett with a sharp save at his near post. Basingstoke responded in first half stoppage time, however, when Blake’s free kick was headed in at close range by Billy Upton to restore the two goal advantage.
With the sun now dropping behind the main stand and the wind at their backs, Basingstoke controlled much of the second half. A 20 yard volley was tipped wide before the decisive fourth goal arrived on 66 minutes: Blake’s free kick again located Upton at the far post, and although goalkeeper Dec McCarthy saved the initial header, Reid reacted quickest to turn in the rebound.
While Upton received treatment following the collision, Sholing broke forward, only for Grant to save well with his feet once more. Barough then saw a deflected effort go wide, substitute Dan Rowe shot over from distance, and Barrett forced McCarthy into a stop late on as Basingstoke continued to create chances.
The visitors managed the closing stages professionally and were applauded off by a strong travelling support. It was a result that underlined their consistency to end the year: disciplined without the ball, efficient in key attacking moments, some brilliant fast paced football and fully deserving of the points.
A brilliant away win to finish 2025. Now we look forward to hosting Bracknell on January 3.
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