BASINGSTOKE Town have kicked off the new season in style, winning their first two games and currently sitting second in the league.

‘Stoke welcomed Swindon Supermarine on Tuesday night for the first home game of the season.

The match saw Paul Hodges and Rudy Allen start, while Luis Le Paih returned to the squad and Simon Dunn was rested.

Early in the game, the Dragons saw their first goal of the evening on 15 minutes, with a left-footed volley from Paul Hodges looping high over the goalkeeper and into the net from the edge of the area (1-0). Hodges came close minutes later, but Supermarine’s keeper made a good diving save to block the ball.

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The hosts extended their lead on 29 minutes, Dan Warre, unchecked, made the most of a free kick and struck the ball right-footed and sent it skimming through the six-yard box and into the bottom corner (2-0).

Supermarine tried to get on the scoresheet quickly after Warre’s goal, with Michael Fernandes and Liban Ibrahim creating work for ‘Stoke goalkeeper Simon Grant, but both shots were saved.

Ahead of halftime, Supermarine had another chance as Harry Williams beat Grant to the ball but it was flicked onto the bar.

It was a quiet start to the second half, but the Dragons extended their lead on 61 minutes from a free kick, with Supermarine’s keeper Luke Purnell unable to hold on to the fierce shot, Warre made the most and tucked the rebound away (3-0).

A long-range free-kick from Curtis Angell bounced off the crossbar on 72 minutes as ‘Stoke looked to try and extend their lead.

With five minutes extra time, Liam Ferdinand tried to make the most of it but ended up hitting the post on 95 minutes.

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The win comes off on the back of what was a game of two halves at Plymouth Parkway on Saturday, August 10.

In the opening game of the season, Parkway got off to a better start, creating early pressure and controlling the pace in midfield.

However, it was ‘Stoke who created the first chance in the fifth minute with on-loan Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Zak Baker doing well to claw away an angled cross from Dan Warre.

Parkway were still the better of the two teams and on the 19th minute that pressure paid off with a well-worked team goal, which was glanced home by young Exeter City loanee Mitchel Beardmore (1-0).

The home side continued to stretch the visitors' back line and almost doubled their lead on 36 minutes, but from a corner drew ‘Stoke level on 38 minutes. Billy Upton headed the ball back across the face of the goal, where it found Warre who poked home the loose ball from close range through a crowd of bodies (1-1).

‘Stoke started the second half stronger, taking the lead on 63 minutes following an awful mix-up between Baker and Taylor Scarff. Attempting to play out from the back an under-hit back pass allowed Jonathan Efedje to pounce and roll the loose ball into the empty net (1-2).

Approaching full-time Parkway managed to create a bit of pressure, winning a free kick centrally just outside the penalty area with some claiming it should have been a penalty.

Parkway continued to push forward to find an equaliser in the eight minutes of stoppage time, but ‘Stoke sealed their first win of the season in the 91st minute. The home side left themselves exposed at the back and Ferdinand cut the ball back to the unmarked Rudy Appiah-Allen who calmly slotted home from close range (1-3).

Speaking after the match on the club’s social media manager Dan Brownlie said he “believed” in the current squad, adding: “The fact that over the course of next seven or eight months, I can pull people in, pull people out, change formation, change the shape and find solutions for things, rather than just changing personnel and hoping.”

‘Stoke welcome Dorchester Town to Winklebury on Saturday, August 17. Kick off 3pm.