IT WAS top against second in the Basingstoke and District SundayLeague Division One, which promised a close encounter, but leaders Basingstoke Royals ran the show from kick-off to final whistle, winning 7-0 against FC Basing.

This extended Royals lead at the top to six points with their seventh win on the trot.

The scoring opened with Richard Willcock sending a hopeful, long, deep cross to the far post, which cleared everyone and snuck in.

That lead was doubled with a wicked 25 yard shot from Ashley Taylor. After the break Basing had a great opportunity to get into the game, in a one-on-one with the keeper, but new goalie Nick Willcock justified his inclusion with a fine save.

At the other end, the Basing goalie missed a back pass for an own goal and the fight was over. The game was wrapped up with goals from Luke Richardson, Steve Horton and Amit Bhuller.

Soldiers Return found themselves a goal down after only 10 minutes, with Rob Chandler netting for Republic of Chineham, but hit back to win 7-2.

Five minutes later, they were level, a long throw from Alex Izzo was headed home at the back post by Fred Cloke.

Cobi Judd closed in on the keeper, the ball cannoning off keeper and Judd into net for 2-1. Republic levelled 2-2 again, as Adam Di Mambro equalised, but it was soon 3-2 after Izzo crossed to Judd to find the top corner of the goal with the outside of his foot before the break.

It was all Soldiers Return in the second half, two similar goals coming from balls over the top, with Judd scoring around the goalkeeper to take his tally to four.

The final two strikes came from Cloke, one a penalty as he completed his hat-trick for Cloke and this was Soldiers' third home win on the trot saw them ease into second place in the table. There was only one game in Division Two, was a very competitive game saw North Warnborough go a goal behind to visitors Team FC early on, Henry Ranchly equalised, and Tom Davies broke away for 2-1 lead at half-time. The visitors levelled after the break won with a late winner.

Division Three's FC Benidorm of Stoke extended their form to four wins in a row after inflicting a 8-0 defeat on a depleted Basingstoke Saints Reserves.

Taylor Watts and John Spencer scored braces, Tom Langley and James Buckland singles, Luke Taylor a wonder goal, and Jamie Bennett a wonder solo goal.