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.