TWO penalties in a minute proved the undoing of spirited Tadley Calleva as they lost 4-1 to Southern League high-fliers Thatcham in the final of the Basingstoke Senior Cup, played at Andover New Street on Tuesday.

Talking after the game, Tadley manager Craig Effer said: “I was proud of my players we turned up and gave them a game. I think 2-1 would have been a fairer scoreline. I had no problem with the first penalty, but I felt the second was a bit harsh. That made it 3-1 and we gave it a go, but could not get back.”

It was no surprise that Thatcham started the better, but Tadley kept them out and went ahead when Andy Ramsden found Dave Brewer, who flicked the ball up and hit a superb dipping volley which flew into the net.

After that, Tadley’s Phil Jarrett did well to save from Charles Mpi and Mark Green, before Mpi equalised with a diving header.

Thatcham were quickly out of the traps after the break and dominated after that with Jarrett again denying Mpi but the game was turned on its head in a mad 60 seconds when Jarrett brought down Green for a penalty which Mark Hughes converted.

Seconds later Sam Tucker was fouled by Shaun Dallimore in the box and again Hughes converted to make it 3-1.

Tadley regrouped and just past the hour mark a free-kick was not cleared and Lee Chambers hit the post, while Brewer also hit the bar.

Then, 10 minutes from time, Hughes completed his second-half hat-trick as Thatcham won the trophy, while Tadley’s Dean Petohalka was voted the man-of-the-match.