Cowes Sports vs Winchester City FC Match Report

Winchester City avoided an embarrassing defeat on Saturday by producing a superb comeback to win 4-3 away to Cowes Sports.

City traveled to the Isle of Wight on the back of two convincing victories against Laverstock & Ford and Alton Town to face a Cowes side currently propping up the Wessex Premier, having failed to win in their last seven matches.

Cowes started the brighter and made the most of the wet weather when City 'keeper Rory Anderson dropped the ball to allow Lee Davies to slot home inside three minutes.

Things were made worse for City when Craig Thomas curled his shot into the top corner to give the league's bottom side a surprise 2-0 lead. Winchester replied quickly when Zak Glasspool headed home an Adam Roberts corner to reduce the deficit to one goal. 

City then piled on the pressure and were level just before the half hour mark when Ian Davies fired home from Zak Glasspool's pass. The turn around was then compete as Sol Asajile beat three players to fire home from 25 yards and send Winchester in 3-2 up at the break.

The second half failed to live up the standards set by the first half but Cowes' misery was compounded when substitute Nathan Lynch put City 4-2 to seal the victory. Cowes then attempted a comeback of their own when Gareth Bricknell scored a diving header but it proved to be too late as Winchester ran out 4-3 winners.

The result means City remain in 9th place and they will look to continue their impressive form at home to 5th place Fareham Town on Saturday. Saturday also brings a top against bottom clash as Cowes entertain league leaders Bournemouth Poppies.

Winchester City 1-0 Alton Town 17/11/09

Winchester City extended their unbeaten run to four matches last night with a 1-0 win over Alton Town at the Denplan City Ground.

City have won three and drawn one in their last four matches whilst Alton had failed to win at their last three attempts.

The first half produced a tightly contested midfield battle with neither side having a clear-cut chance. Despite a difference of nine league places between the two sides the first half was evenly matched and ended goalless.

Winchester manager Stuart Hussey’s half time team talk seemed to have an effect as his side produced a dominant display straight after the break.

Winchester winger Zak Glasspool was guilty of missing a guilt edged chance as he fired his shot over the bar from six yards with only the 'keeper to beat.

A few minutes later, in form midfielder, turned striker Danny Cox beat Alton ‘keeper Dan Hill from outside the area but saw his curling effort hit the crossbar.

Winchester continued to press their opponents and had more chances to break the deadlock. Ian Davies, who replaced the injured Nathan Lynch after 15 minutes, tested Hill but the Alton 'keeper
kept his side in the game once again.

Moments later, Davies was again causing the Alton defence problems when he broke through on goal but was brought down in the box to earn his side a clear penalty with twenty minutes remaining.

Danny Cox fired the penalty home to break the deadlock and score his fourth goal in as many matches.

Alton then came back into the match and with just five minutes left the away side sent a free header over the bar to give Winchester the three points.

Stuart Hussey was pleased with his side’s performance;

“I think it was for all to see in the second half that we totally dominated. We really played some great football and that’s pleasing to see."

The result leaves Winchester in 11th place on goal difference, whilst Alton Town stay in the bottom three.

Moneyfields FC vs Winchester City FC Match Report

Moneyfields vs. Winchester

Moneyfields Sports and Social Club. 07/11/09

Winchester notched their 11^th draw of the season on Saturday as they played out a goalless draw with in form Moneyfields.

Winchester travelled to Moneyfields on the back of a midweek victory to face a side that had lost just once in their last four matches.

City once again lacked the finishing touch as they were unable to capitalise on their dominance and left Moneyfields Sports and Social Club disappointed with just one point.

Winchester’s front man Shane Flooks was guilty of missing his side’s best chance in the first half on the 25-minute mark. Flooks managed to get through on goal but dragged his shot wide from the edge of the Moneyfields area.

Five minutes later, City's Nathan Lynch was causing problems for the opposition defence but squandered the chance by hitting his shot straight at the Moneyfields’ keeper.

Winchester continued to press as half time loomed as Adam ‘Pedro’ George produced a good save from the Moneyfields’ keeper with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

The first half ended goalless with Winchester having failed to take the lead despite their dominance. Moneyfields rarely threatened the City centre backs Guy Butters and Connor McCarthy who produced a solid defensive display.

The second half produced a rather dull affair with both sides having few chances. Winchester’s best chance was in the form of a free kick on the edge of the area which Zak Glasspool sent over the bar.

Winchester boss Stuart Hussey thought his side had deserved the three points;

“Coming away to Moneyfields is never an easy place to come, but over the 90 minutes I think we deserved the win,” said Hussey.

“We’ll go away a little disappointed, but that’s one defeat in 11 for us now, so overall reasonably pleased,” he added.

The result leaves Winchester in 11^th place, six points outside their season aim of a top eight finish, whilst Moneyfields are five points better off in 10^th place.

Mark Lovell

New Milton vs Winchester City FC Match Report

New Milton FC vs Winchester City FC

Fawcett's Field 03/11/09

WINCHESTER city earned their third victory of the season on Tuesday night with a one nil win over local rivals New Milton Town.

City travelled to Fawcetts Field to face a New Milton side lying in 17^th place with just three wins from their 15 matches. Winchester sat just two places higher having drawn ten of their matches so far this season.

The visitors pressured New Milton for majority of the first half but as has been a problem for City this season they were unable to find the end product to kill off their opponents and the first half ended goalless.

After the break it was New Milton who came out the livelier and put their opponents under a lot of pressure and forced City keeper Rory Anderson into a good save.

It was the introduction of Adam Roberts as a second half substitute for Adam ‘Pedro’ George on the 53^rd minute. Roberts turned the game in Winchester’s favour as he began to dominate the midfield battle.

Just past the hour mark Winchester forced the New Milton ‘keeper into two great saves who kept his side in the game on a number of occasions.

However, City’s dominance proved too much for their opponents as they sealed victory on the 75^th minute when Danny Cox slotted home Adam Roberts’ cross.

The relief for many of the travelling Winchester fans was clear as their side had finally closed a game out and added to this season’s number of victories and not the growing number of draws.

Mark Lovell