Basingstoke ObserverON Sunday 3rd April Overton United Vets played against their local rivals Tadley in the North Hants Cup Final on the arid Andover New Street pitch.
The game was keenly contested local derby with no quarter given, with Dave Asker nearly departing this world when he was “inadvertently” knocked off the ball by the combative Gary Stockwell.
Due to the underfoot conditions the beautiful game at times didn’t live up to its name, with the game becoming somewhat a war of attrition. The stalemate was broken 20 minutes in when Ross Harwood, Overton left winger, swivelled on the edge of the18 yard box, and despatched a low shot to the keeper’s right.
Despite this Tadley were still well in the game, with their main weapon coming from the Rory Delapesque throw- ins of Lee Champion. These throw- ins paid dividends in the 35th minute when Andy Evans hooked past the helpless Carl Clayton at the near post. Overton thought they’d taken the lead just before half time when confusion reigned in the Tadley defence and Richard Spiers lobbed home over the onrushing Tadley keeper. This, however, was chalked off after a controversial flag decision.
After some words of wisdom from the gaffer, Matt Aslett, in the Overton dressing room, the lads entered the fray with renewed vigour and swiftly took the lead after Andy Tottman outpaced the Tadley defence and calmly slotted home after a defence splitting pass from Richard Spiers.
From that point there was no looking back as Overton dominated the game for large parts, albeit missing a few good opportunities, with Tadley depending on long range pot-shots. As it seemed Overton were calmly seeing out the game they were indebted to Matt Austin for heading off the line and over the bar in the last minute.
All that was left was for Overton to pick up the trophy and for joyous scenes to commence.
By Richard Spiers
