FA Vase 3rd Round
Whitehawk 1 Winchester City 3
Welcoming back strikers Andrew Forbes and Ian Mancey along with midfield maestro Gary Green, City overcame a Sussex County League Whitehawk side on a wet afternoon just on the outskirts of Brighton. From the outset City attacking up the Whitehawk sloping pitch, City never really looked in danger of not reaching the last thirty two of this national FA Challenge Vase competition. Having reached the Quarter Final stages last season, expectations were high amongst the large contingent of travelling City fans.
With Gary Green controlling the early midfield exchanges and the pace of Forbes causing concern in the Whitehawk back line, City’s first attempt on goal arrived on seven minutes. Forbes cross into the area saw Mancey steer the ball just wide of the target. Two minutes later a twenty five-yard drive from Gary Green was pushed away by home goalkeeper Matt Ades.
Liam Green saw a shot deflected wide of the target before City took a deserved lead on twenty-four minutes. Forbes and Matthew Bicknell combined on the left flank and with the ball played into the area Mancey used his strength to hold off a defenders challenge and turn the ball into the net.
City’s almost increased their lead before the interval Lloyd Webber set up Forbes who twisted and turned before shooting just wide, then Forbes and Bicknell again combining ended up with Bicknell shooting straight at keeper Ades. One brief flurry from Whitehawk caused concern in the City rearguard but the danger was cleared with City keeper Joe McCormack not being troubled.
Whitehawk produced a better second half performance, City not starting the second period at their best. Ollie Rowland went close for the home side before McCormack saved well from Simon Rowland but City held out under the pressure exerted by the home side. The pitch was understandably draining strength from several players as space began to open up as the game progressed.
City supporters though could not breathe easily though until the seventieth minute. Bicknells free kick into the area saw a scramble in the box which ended up with Whitehawk defender Peter Birch turning the ball past his own keeper and City had a two-goal advantage.
Eight minutes later Webber had the opportunity to have put the game well beyond the home sides reach, having broke through from the middle of the park but shot wide of the target from just inside the area. Webber and Mancey set up Liam Green but Greens effort went wide before an exquisite third City goal arrived ten minutes from the end of the match. Collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area Mancey steadied himself when receiving the ball then shot into the top corner of the net to receive acclaim from both sets of supporters for a superb finish.
There was still time for substitute Martin Beck to shoot against the post. The home side though scored a consolation goal in stoppage time when a long range Toby Phillips shot was deflected beyond the reach of McCormack into the net but there was barely any time left for the game to restart. City take their next step along the road, which they hope, will finish up at Upton Park next May.
City : McCormack, Rogers, Bicknell, Lang (Redwood 85), Goss, Blake, Webber, G Green, Mancey (Beck 85), Forbes (Dyke 74), L Green Unused subs Dean and Mitchell
Whitehawk 1 Winchester City 3
Welcoming back strikers Andrew Forbes and Ian Mancey along with midfield maestro Gary Green, City overcame a Sussex County League Whitehawk side on a wet afternoon just on the outskirts of Brighton. From the outset City attacking up the Whitehawk sloping pitch, City never really looked in danger of not reaching the last thirty two of this national FA Challenge Vase competition. Having reached the Quarter Final stages last season, expectations were high amongst the large contingent of travelling City fans.
With Gary Green controlling the early midfield exchanges and the pace of Forbes causing concern in the Whitehawk back line, City’s first attempt on goal arrived on seven minutes. Forbes cross into the area saw Mancey steer the ball just wide of the target. Two minutes later a twenty five-yard drive from Gary Green was pushed away by home goalkeeper Matt Ades.
Liam Green saw a shot deflected wide of the target before City took a deserved lead on twenty-four minutes. Forbes and Matthew Bicknell combined on the left flank and with the ball played into the area Mancey used his strength to hold off a defenders challenge and turn the ball into the net.
City’s almost increased their lead before the interval Lloyd Webber set up Forbes who twisted and turned before shooting just wide, then Forbes and Bicknell again combining ended up with Bicknell shooting straight at keeper Ades. One brief flurry from Whitehawk caused concern in the City rearguard but the danger was cleared with City keeper Joe McCormack not being troubled.
Whitehawk produced a better second half performance, City not starting the second period at their best. Ollie Rowland went close for the home side before McCormack saved well from Simon Rowland but City held out under the pressure exerted by the home side. The pitch was understandably draining strength from several players as space began to open up as the game progressed.
City supporters though could not breathe easily though until the seventieth minute. Bicknells free kick into the area saw a scramble in the box which ended up with Whitehawk defender Peter Birch turning the ball past his own keeper and City had a two-goal advantage.
Eight minutes later Webber had the opportunity to have put the game well beyond the home sides reach, having broke through from the middle of the park but shot wide of the target from just inside the area. Webber and Mancey set up Liam Green but Greens effort went wide before an exquisite third City goal arrived ten minutes from the end of the match. Collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area Mancey steadied himself when receiving the ball then shot into the top corner of the net to receive acclaim from both sets of supporters for a superb finish.
There was still time for substitute Martin Beck to shoot against the post. The home side though scored a consolation goal in stoppage time when a long range Toby Phillips shot was deflected beyond the reach of McCormack into the net but there was barely any time left for the game to restart. City take their next step along the road, which they hope, will finish up at Upton Park next May.
City : McCormack, Rogers, Bicknell, Lang (Redwood 85), Goss, Blake, Webber, G Green, Mancey (Beck 85), Forbes (Dyke 74), L Green Unused subs Dean and Mitchell
Document last updated: 07/06/2007
