Monday 29th August
Sydenhams Wessex League
Winchester City 2 Thatcham Town 3
City slumped to their third consecutive defeat at the hands of fellow title contenders Thatcham Town. A sequence of results unbeknown to City since February 2001.
The warnings were in evidence from early on as even with only thirty seconds played Thatcham's midfielder Adam Campion broke though but lofted his shot over the bar. There had only been three minutes played when Thatcham did take the lead. A right wing corner being headed home by the unmarked Sean Cook.
City responded with Stuart Brown, deputising for the unavailable Ian Mancey, producing a cross from which Jamie Musselwhite had a shot saved by visiting goalkeeper Paul Strudley. Liam Greens pass into the feet of Musselwhite allowed the striker an effort on goal but again Strudley was equal saving at the strikers feet, the ball breaking for Stewart Lang to fire goal wards which was blocked with City’s appeal for a penalty all in vain.
As Thatcham broke Cook headed over when well placed then a poor punched clearance by David Hook was not punished by Marc Green who dragged his effort wide of the target.
On the half hour City’s problems increased. A late challenge on Marc Green by Toby Redwood saw the City defender given a straight red card by referee Mr C Powell.
City boss Steve Moss introduced substitute Mark Lilley at the interval in place of Brown. With three minutes of the half played Lilley had his name on the score sheet. Musselwhite pass into the strikers path saw Lilley control the ball before coolly shooting under Strudley and City were level.
City only remained on equal terms for six minutes. Pressing on the Thatcham defence the visiting side broke and Marc Green ran the ball round Hook before shooting Thatcham ahead again. On fifty-seven minutes City were further behind. Jamie Green, Marcs brother, heading home.
As the goals flowed on the hour Lilley had his name on the sheet again chasing a seemingly lost cause, he helped a bouncing ball over the top of Strudley and City were back in the game.
Marc Green had a further chance to put Thatcham back in control but Hook denied the striker his hat trick, whilst Lilley also produced some neat footwork to get behind two defenders but his low shot was also stopped by Strudley.
Danny Sullivan got clear of the City defence but his shot was again saved by Hook. As City pressed in the final stages mark Jones saw a header go just wide, Musselwhite fired a shot over the bar and making his Wessex league debut tom Vavrecka produced a weak shot on the turn which was also saved by Strudley.
Winchester : Hook, Dolan (Austen 88), McCormick, Jones, Redwood, G Green (Vavrecka 56), Sumner, Lang, Brown (Lilley 45), Musselwhite, L Green Unused subs Lewis, Walker-Harris
Thatcham Town : Strudley, Nurse, Blackford, Cook, Rees, J Green, Campion, Worsfold, Davies (Sullivan 65), M Green (Melledew 71), Witt Unused subs McClay, Thomas, Mattingley
Winchester City 2 Thatcham Town 3
City slumped to their third consecutive defeat at the hands of fellow title contenders Thatcham Town. A sequence of results unbeknown to City since February 2001.
The warnings were in evidence from early on as even with only thirty seconds played Thatcham's midfielder Adam Campion broke though but lofted his shot over the bar. There had only been three minutes played when Thatcham did take the lead. A right wing corner being headed home by the unmarked Sean Cook.
City responded with Stuart Brown, deputising for the unavailable Ian Mancey, producing a cross from which Jamie Musselwhite had a shot saved by visiting goalkeeper Paul Strudley. Liam Greens pass into the feet of Musselwhite allowed the striker an effort on goal but again Strudley was equal saving at the strikers feet, the ball breaking for Stewart Lang to fire goal wards which was blocked with City’s appeal for a penalty all in vain.
As Thatcham broke Cook headed over when well placed then a poor punched clearance by David Hook was not punished by Marc Green who dragged his effort wide of the target.
On the half hour City’s problems increased. A late challenge on Marc Green by Toby Redwood saw the City defender given a straight red card by referee Mr C Powell.
City boss Steve Moss introduced substitute Mark Lilley at the interval in place of Brown. With three minutes of the half played Lilley had his name on the score sheet. Musselwhite pass into the strikers path saw Lilley control the ball before coolly shooting under Strudley and City were level.
City only remained on equal terms for six minutes. Pressing on the Thatcham defence the visiting side broke and Marc Green ran the ball round Hook before shooting Thatcham ahead again. On fifty-seven minutes City were further behind. Jamie Green, Marcs brother, heading home.
As the goals flowed on the hour Lilley had his name on the sheet again chasing a seemingly lost cause, he helped a bouncing ball over the top of Strudley and City were back in the game.
Marc Green had a further chance to put Thatcham back in control but Hook denied the striker his hat trick, whilst Lilley also produced some neat footwork to get behind two defenders but his low shot was also stopped by Strudley.
Danny Sullivan got clear of the City defence but his shot was again saved by Hook. As City pressed in the final stages mark Jones saw a header go just wide, Musselwhite fired a shot over the bar and making his Wessex league debut tom Vavrecka produced a weak shot on the turn which was also saved by Strudley.
Winchester : Hook, Dolan (Austen 88), McCormick, Jones, Redwood, G Green (Vavrecka 56), Sumner, Lang, Brown (Lilley 45), Musselwhite, L Green Unused subs Lewis, Walker-Harris
Thatcham Town : Strudley, Nurse, Blackford, Cook, Rees, J Green, Campion, Worsfold, Davies (Sullivan 65), M Green (Melledew 71), Witt Unused subs McClay, Thomas, Mattingley
Document last updated: 08/06/2007
