A poor second half display from The Geordies on Tuesday (6 January 2026) cost them as Basingstoke took the three points and extended Hanwell Town’s winless run to nine games.
Tom Blake opened the scoring for hosts early on, with Ernaldo Krasniqi equalising before half time. Substitute Oreofe Bello and George Reid restored Basingstoke’s lead before Joe Waight pulled one back late on, but it was too late for the visitors.
Basingstoke started the match much the better side and this showed three minutes in. Blake was quicker to the ball ahead of Dwayne Duncan, after being slipped through and smashed the ball into the roof of the net, giving Sam Beasent in goal no chance.
Hanwell replied to this early setback well with chances through Mo Bettamer being blocked and a sequence of corners being cleared by Basingstoke.
However, the Geordies had defender Harry Seabrook to thank after Edward Cooper was robbed of possession and striker Robbie Gallagher was played through, but Seabrook produced a last-ditch challenge to prevent a goal.
12 minutes from half-time, Hanwell equalised through a wonderful volley from the debutant Krasniqi. He received the ball chest high, 20 yards out and controls it superbly. He then produced a finish to match with a volley that loops over Simon Grant in goal and levels deservedly for the away side.
It was that man again when just five minutes from the break, a good cross from Dan Carr was headed over when it really should’ve been buried and given Hanwell the lead at the break. Instead, the half ended with an injury to lively striker Gallagher who was replaced by Bello at half time.
Eight minutes into the second half, the substitute Bello was immediately involved when Krasniqi lost the ball on halfway. Josh Green produced a nice cross to the striker in the middle of the box who was free to poke past Beasant and restore Basingstoke’s lead.
Minutes later, Bello really should’ve put ‘Stoke two ahead after a cross towards Reid was knocked down well and the substitute had loads of time to take a couple of touches and shoot. It was blocked well in the end but Hanwell looked all over the place at the back.
This showed 10 minutes later when Basingstoke did get their third goal. Joe Barough was played through brilliantly and he had the composure to cut it back to Reid who chipped the ball over the Beasant to score his seventh goal of the season and give the home side a deserved two goal advantage.
After this, Basingstoke took their foot off the gas and the game looked like it would die out. A few substitutions from Hanwell gave them some much needed energy and this led to the final chances being those of the away side.
With five minutes added on, the Geordies created a lifeline when Joe Waight met a good cross and headed the ball back across Grant from the back post to pull one back. However, Basingstoke realised the danger and kept the ball until the full-time whistle, with the game finishing 3-2 to the home side.
Another disappointing result for Hanwell keeps them in the relegation zone, but still very much in touch with Weymouth, 2 points ahead, and escaping the relegation zone. Next up, the Geordies host high flying Poole Town on Saturday 10 January 2026 at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium.
 cost them as Basingstoke took the three points and extended Hanwell Town’s winless run to nine games.){kind=link}