GEORGE Hallahan fired a hat-trick as Basingstoke Town sent Bemerton Heath Harlequins spinning out of the FA Cup in the first qualifying round.

Town, who are two divisions above the Sydenhams Wessex Premier outfit, illustrated their superiority inside four minutes as Matt Partridge tucked home a rebound.

Hallahan then struck twice before the break, firstly with a header from a Marcus Johnson cross and then a shot which reared off the surface, beating keeper Max Frampton.

And the deadly striker added his third and Town's fourth on 76 minutes, cutting inside from just outside the penalty box and unleashing a venomous drive.

With six minutes left, Bemerton produced their best chance of the game when Michael Hubbard’s corner was met by the head of Jack Slade and only a superb finger tip save from Alex Tokarczyk denied the visitors a goal.

Heath boss Graham Kemp rued: "We never gave ourselves a chance."

"We were well prepared but we're sluggish to start, and going 2-0 down in 10 minutes is game over. They were decent but we needed to stay in the game early doors and we didn't."

Bemerton look to bounce back from their FA Cup hangover when they host Downton in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

Longwell Sports (at home) awaits the winner in the next round.

Kemp added: "We need to get rid of the FA Cup hangover and be prepared for an equally tough game in different ways.

"Being a cup, and local, it is a great leveller so we need to make sure we start well."

Rivals Amesbury Town, who were trounced 9-0 by title favourites Blackfield and Langley in the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup, travel to Hamworthy United.

Meanwhile, Laverstock and Ford go to Whitchurch United.

All Vase games start at 3pm.