On a day in which the reserves became the club priority, RTFC were forced to head to Romsey with a much weakened side. Starting for the New Foresters was reserve team youngster Oli Cox and former Town regulars Sam Yeats and Russell Goodman. Lining up alongside them were management duo Steve Hicks and Jy Taylor with Jim Edwards taking control of the bench.

RTFC could have had a dream start after 2 minutes when Andy Wright played Baggers in on goal. His effort from 20 yards out was tipped over by the Romsey keeper but showed the intent with which RTFC were to play. Defensively the team looked sound in the opening quarter, however going forward RTFC lacked ideas and only Dan Baguley really looked a threat.

RTFC were undone after 25 minutes when the defence, usually so strong with high balls, failed to attack an up-and-under. As Dan Brunnen allowed the ball to bounce Romsey's ex-Bashley striker, Dean Higgins, strolled in to whip the ball off Brunnen's foot and stike the ball past a helpless Gooders.

The goal gave the home side real impetus and their attcks quickened as they exploited the left channel in behind young Co.x On one occasion a quick free-kick came to nothing and Hicks was left in a race with Higgins. Using all his veteren know-how Hicks brought the Romsey striker down on the edge of the area and managed to talk himself out of getting a yellow card.

Occasional breaks for RTFC continued to come to nothing with Baggers working wide and on one occasion whipping in a quality cross which just evaded Taylor. However it was RTFC who had themselves to blame for the second Romsey goal. A quick free-kick caught RTFC cold and Romsey broke with pace again down their left channel. The striker was able to drive into the RTFC box and again his shot gave Gooders no chance.

RTFC could have come straight back into the game. This time their delivery from a free-kick was excellent and as Taylor managed to get the wrong side of his marker (somehow) he was pulled to the ground. Initially the referee pointed to the spot, however after looking to the linesman he changed his mind and gave a free kick the other way. RTFC went into the break 2 down.

A change of shape at half time saw Brunnen push across to right back and Greaves come into left back to give RTFC a more familiar 4-4-2 look. With the defence now looking solid with Hicks particularly defying his 37 years RTFC had a solid base to move forward upon. Mark Burrett was inspirational in his performance as skipper and was in the thick of the action at both ends, driving RTFC forward and certainly not prepared to go down without a fight.

It was RTFC's refusal to give up that got them back into the game. Buzz and Andy Wright squeezed the ball in the middle of the park and it popped to Baggers 25 yards from goal. His first time shot on a bouncing ball lobbed the keeper perfectly and gave him his 5th goal in 10 games.

Still RTFC went forward but still they had few ideas and it looked like a set piece would be the only way to break the deadlock. And so it proved when, on 75 minutes, Buzz put in a fantastic ball from the right which was met strongly at the back post by Charlie Pierson who headed it beyond the flaying keeper.

In truth the game looked like it would finish 2-2. Romsey had plenty of pressure but Hicks and Pierson looked so assured that nothing was going to beat them. However with 94 minutes played a throw-in was launched into the RTFC bo.x Pierson only managed to flick it on, as did Burrett and the defence were caught wrong-footed as Higgins squeezed the ball under Gooders to ensure the home side would play Wessex premiership football again next season.

As the re-start was taken the referee blew the whistle to end the game and RTFC were gutted but had every right to be proud of their performance with an attitude that bodes well for next season.