Parsons on target again but City have to settle for ‘Stoke draw

City maintained their unbeaten start to the 2026/27 season with a 1-1 draw against Basingstoke Town at the Winklebury Football Complex this afternoon. Both goals came in a four-minute first-half spell, Harry Parsons netting first for the Romans, and a draw was probably the fair result, although the hosts spurned a great late chance to grab the win.

The home side enjoyed the better of a largely uneventful opening quarter but it was City who broke the deadlock on 24 minutes. A poor clearance by keeper Grant allowed Sev Streczyn to feed Parsons and he curled home a left-foot shot from 18-yards. Basingstoke responded almost immediately as neat build-up play deep in the City half saw McGrory slip in Blake to lift the ball past Harvey Wiles-Richards. After this flurry of excitement the game settled down again with neither side able to gain an upper hand. City ended the half with a chance to regain the lead, Reuben Reid seeing a 40th minute close-range effort well blocked by Grant at his near post.

The second half saw Basingstoke enjoy the great possession, but in common with previous games, City looked solid in defence. Wiles-Richards easily gathered an Upton header from a 69th minute corner, although eight minutes later he had to be at his best to keep out Konstantinou’s low shot with his legs. The introduction of Alex Fisher just past the hour mark had given City a great attacking impetus and he was only denied a great chance late on by a tight looking offside flag. Fellow substitute Scott Wilson also nearly got beyond the Town backline only for a defender to recover well and as the game reached it closing stages both sides looked to have settled for a point. However, Basingstoke should have won all three in stoppage time. Danny Greenslade appeared to fouled on the halfway line but the referee waved play-on which allowed Brown to race clear. His low cross picked out Obodo at the back post but he scooped the ball high over the bar.