Sydenhams Wessex League

Winchester City 2 Andover 1

City were minus the influential Christer Warren whilst visitors Andover were without regulars Glen Damen and Callum Earl along with ex City defender Kieron Hall for this eagerly awaited Sydenhams Wessex League derby fixture. Andover gave debuts to striker Lee Chudy signed from Lymington & New Milton and also full back Charlie Knight from Salisbury City.

The opening saw a full-blooded affair with several challenges giving warning of what might be expected from this fiercely contested fixture. With City having the better of the opening exchanges they also notched an early goal. Only ten minutes had been played when Shaun Dykes cross into the area saw Ian Mancey and Jamie Musselwhite assist in knocking the ball on so it arrived at the far post where Tommy McCormick jumped above his defender to nod City in front.

The City lead lasted a mere four minutes. With virtually their first attack of the game, Peter Kingman’s ball into the area for Ashley Vine saw the Andover midfield general nudged by Lloyd Webber and referee David Beament awarded a spot kick which Justin Bennett duly converted although his poor penalty kick was very nearly clawed into his body by City’s David Hook.

Andover lost their keeper shortly afterwards with an injury fortunately for the Andover side having another recognised goalkeeper on their bench. It was City that took the honours for the opening half. Mat Davies playing in a midfield role saw a long range effort saved by Tasker then from the resultant corner Dyke watched his flag kick skim the top of the bar.

An Ian Buckman cross saw Mancey latch on to the ball only for his effort to be blocked by a defender. Dykes trickery footwork produced an opening for the ex Andover man to strike against the post, the ball running for the brave Mancey to see a diving header parried away by Tasker.

The second period was a different story. City were forced to reshuffle losing Stewart Lang with an injury so Davies reverting to his central defensive role and Danny Wakefield coming into the middle of the park. The Andover side were awarded a succession of free kicks in dangerous areas very early in the second period. David Asker had one free kick saved by Hook, Sam Rea and Knight also having attempts going narrowly wide.

As City were forced to rely on breaks from defence with Dyke coming more into the action as the game went on. With sixty-five minutes played City scored a second goal somewhat against the run of play, the goal created on the left flank. Webber, McCormick and Matt Bicknell were all instrumental for McCormick to lay the ball across the front of the Andover goal in the six yard box for Musselwhite to edge above everyone else to prod the ball over the line.

Hook made an excellent save from Asker three minutes later but neither keeper was really troubled until the final closing minutes. Tasker was diving away to his right to pull back a Musselwhite shot into his body as Andover ended the game on a series of attacks. It was a relieved City that welcomed the final whistle from referee Beament as Andover had forced a succession of four corners in their attempt for a late equaliser.

Winchester : Hook, Buckman, Bicknell, Jones, Lang (Wakefield 45), Davies, Dyke, Webber, Mancey, Musselwhite, McCormick Unused subs Kneller, Rogers, Rusher and Chapman

Andover : Hopkins (Tasker 15), Keogh (Styles 88), Knight, Swayne, Vine, Rea, Chudy, Kingman, Andrews (Sullivan 82), Bennett, Asker Unused subs Turpin, Chahal