Basingstoke Town stretched their incredible run to 13 victories in a row, as they beat Ashford Town 3-0 on Saturday March 4.

With ‘Stoke entering the penultimate month of the Isthmian League South Central season four points clear at the top of the table, Dan Brownlie’s side had more than enough reason to be optimistic. 

Basingstoke made the trip to the Robert Parker Stadium boasting a 100% record against Ashford, winning all their previous three games against the Middlesex side. The most recent meeting came at Winklebury in September, where 'Stoke secured a thumping 5-0 win.

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There were very few clear goalscoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. Basingstoke goalkeeper Paul Strudley was forced into an impressive early stop, however, when he got down low to smother a fierce bouncing volley.

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The league leaders opened the scoring through midfielder Ben Cook. Striker Paul Hodges was involved in some neat link-up play which resulted in the ball being in George Reid’s possession. ‘Stoke’s No.11 looked up and played a clever disguised ball through to Cook, who took a touch across Ashford centre-back Chad Goulter before firing into the bottom-left corner.

Just four minutes later, the lead was doubled by club captain Simon Dunn. The skipper played a great pass out to top scorer Brad Wilson, before following up with a dart into the hosts’ box. Wilson rolled it through to Dunn, who finished with aplomb for his first league goal of the season.

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Basingstoke went into the break 2-0 up, although it only took five minutes of the second half for the lead to be extended. Paul Strudley’s goal kick wasn’t dealt with by the Tangerines’ defence, and the ball ended up bouncing over ‘keeper Fred Chapman. Ben Cook was on hand to poke home for his first ever league brace for ‘Stoke.

Very little happened in terms of goalscoring chances in the final 40 minutes of the match, but the visitors ended up seeing the game out to secure a 13th straight league victory, continuing their 100%-winning start to 2023.

Next weekend could well prove to be a vital one in the title race – as Walton face a local derby at fifth-placed Chertsey Town, whilst Basingstoke travel back to Middlesex as they face third-placed Northwood.