Romsey Town made a flying start to the new season when they knocked Fawley AFC out of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a 2-1 away triumph, writes Tony Galsworthy.

Town boss Andy Samuels named a side that saw some new faces mixed with youth and experience – White (GK); Pomeroy, Ockwell, Hancock, Beard; Hewson, Cole, Holloway (C), Russell; Greenough, Magee. Subs used: Stapleton, Pooley, Gibson and Jeffrey.

The Bypass Boys made the perfect start when they scored with their first attack. Skipper Owen Holloway fed a perfect through ball for young Harley Russell to race past his marker and fire home a rising shot from just inside the penalty area to give his side a first minute lead.

The Oilers quickly responded with a fierce drive that Sam White did well parry before George Ockwell hacked the ball clear for a corner.

Liam Magee doubled Town’s advantage in the twelfth minute after good work down the right wing by George Pomeroy and Charlie Hewson. Magee calmly controlled a headed clearance before stroking the ball into the corner of the net. White then had to deny three goalbound efforts from the home side before Russell saw another effort saved low near the post as the half came to an end.
Fawley went on the front foot from the start of the second half and were rewarded by a goal in the 54th minute. Ockwell’s misplaced pass was intercepted, which led to Roberts receiving the ball in front of goal which he dispatched past the stranded White.

After Archie Greenough saw a firm low drive held by Fawley’s ‘keeper, Robbie Stapleton was introduced, and he ghosted by two defenders before hitting a shot that clipped the top of the bar.

The hosts though enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and White was by far the busier of the custodians making crucial saves to keep his side ahead. Fawley thought that had an equaliser when a header from an 80th minute corner was cleared off the line by Pomeroy. It was a fitting reward for his efforts that when Fawley were awarded a free kick in added time right on the edge of the box the fierce drive brought another fine save from White as the referee blew the final whistle.

“The opening twenty minutes we were very good and saw us go 2-0 up, however, we got over confident in spells and made basic mistakes with the ball and on another day, we could've found ourselves level or behind at half time.”, commented Samuels. “The second half was more hard work without the ball as Fawley pushed forward and pulled one back, but we did hold on to progress to the next round where we will play Cowes Sports at home.”

Romsey are at home tomorrow (ko 3pm) when the visitors are Ringwood Town in the hosts’ opening game of the Velocity Wessex League Division One 2024/25 season.