WELLY Old Boys booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Peter Raynbird Cup with victory at Tron.

The hard work of Darren Hutchins and his volunteers at Berrydown saw them clear the snow off the pitch on Friday, making this the only game of the Basingstoke and District League programme played on Saturday.

The tie could have gone either way until the home side lost their star striker Chris Laversher to a red card in the last 10 minutes.

Tron, without Ross Cook serving a one match suspension, took the lead after just 26 seconds. The move started on the half way line as James McCallion and Jessy Todd combined for Chris Laversher to open the scoring by chipping James Baldwin.

The home side had the better of the next 20 minutes with two good chances from Todd and Laversher saved by Baldwin.

Although Tron had the initiative, it was Welly who drew level on 26 minutes. James McIntosh just managed to get his shot away, which was saved by Jason Charles, but referee Mick Walsh had spotted an infringement by Peter Amps and awarded a penalty that was promptly put away by Ben Nicholls to level the scores.

A clearance off the line by Ewan Westwood stopped Nicholls putting Welly ahead at the break, but five minutes after it they were ahead.

Some good football in midfield by Tobie Hyde led to a good pass to Nicholls, he then took on Dean Thomas and then gave Charles no chance with the finish.

Tron were always in the game and on the 67 minute mark drew level. A free kick taken by Matt Wilson was brought down nicely by McCallion who then blasted it into the net.

Tron then had two chances to take the lead as Serge Holland shot just over the bar and then Ryan Evans’ slip gave Scotty Winterbourne an opportunity but Baldwin was equal to his shot.

On 79 minutes, a skirmish involving Laversher and McIntosh led to a yellow card for both, but Tron’s Laversher then received a second booking for dissent and so was dismissed.

It was two minute from time that Welly took advantage of their 10 men opponents as they took the lead two minutes from time. New signing midfielder Chris Williamson in his first game scored after a slick move involving Hyde and Matt Button.

The tie was made safe in the third minute of added time when they scored a fourth came which was another classy goal. Williamson’s short free kick found Hyde, who played the ball through to Button and his chip across the box brought a great volley from Brian Cenci.

Welly Old Boys will now play the winners of the Basingstoke Royals and Old Basing Rangers in the last eight.

Tomorrow night they travel to AFC Aldermaston for their Basingstoke Senior Cup quarter-final (kick-off 7.45pm) and will hope it is third time lucky as the previous two games have been postponed.