Soldiers get the best of Exchange

Soldiers Return took the lead after 10 minutes with a 25-yard shot by Alex Izzo in their North Hants Senior Cup match at Winchester Premier League side FC Exchange on Sunday, writes Tony Spencer, but within two minutes the home side had levelled, following a cross from a corner kick, buried by James Gardener.

It was a close fought first 25 minutes of the first half until Soldiers Return began to dominate and took back the lead after Ellis Hauman's corner kick was headed into the net by Fred Cloke. Soon that slender lead was extended to 1-3 after Izzo ran onto a through ball and beat the keeper in a one on one for his second goal. The two-goal margin remained through to half-time. Early on in the second a through ball from Andrew Darmody gave 'Toby' Juggs a shot which was blocked and Izzo tapped in for his hat-trick, which effectively killed the game off, the match finishing 1-4.

Dayers Fine Foods entertained South Wonston Swifts, but found themselves two goals down to the visitors by the interval. Dayers managed to reduce the deficit with 15 minutes left to 1-2 but unluckily hit the post in the last minute, so miss out on progressing to the next round.

In one of the two local derbies, Republic of Chineham beat Oakley 3-2, extending their unbeaten run to four games.

South View scored three against rivals Kaiser Wessex without reply. The result ended a run of four defeats and was sweet revenge for an earlier league defeat by Kaiser.

Tron travelled to Whitenap, who are currently second in the Winchester Premier League, and forced the match into extra time, where they were victorious by 3-5. Two goals each from Vialli Thomas and Charlie Palmer plus a Chris Morris penalty. Tron are on a high, unbeaten now in five games.

Lamb Inn's match against FC Chute United was called off when the visitors couldn't raise enough players to make the trip, so it is likely they will progress by default.

In the North Hants Chris Price Cup, Chineham travelled to AFC Allbrook with some excellent results behind them, but we're unable to maintain their form, going down 5-1, their only reply coming from Keiron Alleyne. AFC Allbrook have a 100% league record with a plus25 goal difference after only four games. This was Chineham's first defeat in four matches.

Andover Saints scored two home goals, but FC Everest had a field day, hitting them with a baker's dozen, the final score 2-13.

Unbeaten Winchester side FILO beat Hampshire Irons 5-2.

New Inn travelled to Winchester and narrowly beat home side Hedge End Hawks by 3-4.

North Warnborough Two lost at home by the odd goal in seven to AFC Wolversdene Res.

Oakley Reserves managed a feast of goals, scoring six against Owslebury, but the visitors from Winchester cracked in ten for their first win of the season, the result 6-10.

UWS lost 1-7 to visitors Charlton Royals, who are second in the Andover League Division 2, Chris Drake chalking up a goal to prevent the whitewash.

Andover side Swallow, unbeaten in four games, narrowly beat visitors RAF Odiham Blades 1-0.

DG Athletic notched up their first win this season, in the North Hants John Ward Cup. They entertained Nether Wallop, with Ritchie Budd getting four goals and Liam Crump getting a hat-trick, final score 8-4.

Chineham Athletic were whitewashed 0-10 by a rampant Shipton Bellinger Rams, who have a 100% league record and won six of their seven matches so far.

Chineham Reserves didn't fare much better, although they did score once, going down 1-11 to a fearsome AFC Gecko. The Winchester side have a 100% league record, scoring 18 and conceding only once. This was Chineham Reserves' first defeat in four matches.

Eastrop Eagles narrowly saw off AFC Golden Lion 2-1, their first win in four games. Robert Upton scored for Golden Lion.

Soldiers Return Reserves played host to King Alfred from Winchester and were awarded a penalty after half an hour. Jay Wild stepped up but missed the spot kick. King Alfred took advantage and led by a goal at half-time. Soldiers pressed for the equaliser in a very close game but conceded a second about 20 minutes from the end. Soldiers Return continued to apply pressure and on 75 minutes were awarded a free kick 20 yards out, from which Arek Besvziera scored, closing the game to 1-2. However, while still pressing, the hosts conceded two late goals, finishing up losing 1-4, with the scoreline unrepresentative of the tightness of the match. This was Soldiers Return Reserves' first home defeat.

Team FC saw off their visitors Barton Stacey Reserves 6-1, and have now completed three games unbeaten.