Sydenhams Wessex League

Andover 0 Winchester City 2

From the usual cut and thrust local derby affairs, this Andover against City fixture was strangely subdued. City had made certain of the title two days earlier, but for the home side there was still all to play for as they tried to make certain of third place in the division. Both sets of players along with some over zealous officiating though did not provide the expected derby tussle atmosphere.

Stewart Lang, Matthew Bicknell and Ian Mancey were all missing from the starting line up that had clinched the title at VT, giving a start to Richard Mealey, Matt Davies and Pete Smith. Mealey caused the home defence problems all afternoon with his non-stop running.

Lee Chudy had an early chance for the home side but fired over from the edge of the area, whilst Mealey wasted a good chance for City. Mealey headed a Green corner over the bar on eighteen minutes before City did take the lead ten minutes later. Green was again on the assist with his cross to the far post finding Jamie Musselwhite rising to head home goal number thirty eight for the season.

Five minutes before the interval, Shaun Dykes flick on the edge of his own penalty area was intercepted by Chudy but again Hook was equal to the strikers attempt. City broke quickly to the opposite end of the park where Mealey was forced to shoot narrowly wide of the target.

The second period saw a better game for both sides, City though always in the ascendancy. Hook had produced another good stop from Danny Sullivan before City added their second goal on fifty-three minutes. Another Andover corner was cleared by Mealey. Completing his clearance Mealey laid the ball out to Dyke who slipped the ball back on to the onrushing Mealey. Having completed the length of the pitch with his run, Mealey unselfishly laid the ball back into the path of Christer Warren whose fierce drive was only parried by Andover goalkeeper Colin Hopkins over the line.

City should then have added to their score. On the hour another Warren shot was saved by Hopkins. A minute later Warren’s corner to the far post was headed back by Davies; Lloyd Webbers sweetly struck drive was saved by Hopkins, the rebound falling for Webber only to blaze the ball over the bar.

Phil Andrews screwed an effort wide for Andover on sixty-six minutes after City only partially cleared a free kick. A minute later and at the other end, Warrens corner saw Mark Jones’ goalbound header cleared off the line by Mark Keogh.

Mealey set up Dyke for a shot on goal but Dykes lobbed shot went wide of the target then Mealeys strength created himself a chance getting behind the defender but he shot just wide.

The final chance for City brought another excellent stop from Andover man of the match Hopkins. Greens cross saw Dykes volley superbly pushed onto a post by Hopkins then cleared for a corner. A good all round performance from City skipper Mark Jones another accomplished performance at the back.

Andover : Hopkins, Keogh, Hall, Swayne, Vine, Rea, Chudy (Murphy 79), Styles (Turpin 64), Andrews, Sullivan (Sale 64), Taylor Unused subs Knight and Tasker

Winchester : Hook, Mat Jones (Buckman 83), Smith, Mark Jones, Davies, Webber (Wakefield 85), Dyke, Warren, Mealey, Musselwhite, Green Unused subs Mancey, Vavrecka and Chapman