Sydenhams Wessex League Cup

Winchester City 4 Wimborne Town 2

Winchester City eased through into the semi final of the Sydenhams Wessex League Cup and a two-legged match with A F C Totton with this victory over fellow F A Vase hopefuls Wimborne Town. Both sides with obvious other commitments saw changes to their normal sides albeit some changes enforced. City were still without Christer Warren and Mark Jones, whilst Shaun Dyke returned to the side following a seven-day suspension. For Wimborne ex City midfielder Michael Dean was cup tied whilst also missing were Sam Percival, Ben Griffiths and Scott Arnold. Wimborne giving an outing for the first time this season to 39-year-old defender Tony White on a dual registration with Poole Borough.

The first half lacked any real imagination or flair from either side. Ian Mancey saw a shot come back off the post after thirteen minutes and Ross Lewis passed fit just before the game ghosted a header wide of the post. City went ahead on thirty-four minutes. Dykes run into the area saw Wimborne skipper Stewart Kearns diving at the tricky midfielders feet and Dyke stumbling over before Paul Roast completed a challenge which referee Stuart Gemmell deemed a penalty. Liam Green sweetly stuck away the spot kick.

Right on the stroke off half time Wimborne caught City defensively napping following a free kick. Paul Rideout's ball into the near post saw ex City man Stuart Canine rise first and direct a header beyond Hook into the net for the equaliser.

The second half was much more productive for City with a much improved performance. Two minutes into the half Lewis headed a Dyke cross from the left just wide of there target and three minutes later mat Davies had a shot blocked by a Wimborne defender.

Fifty-four minutes had been played when City went back into the lead. Pate Smith raided down the left flank before breaking into the area and firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. In only his second match for City Smith was causing concern for Wimborne all evening with his energetic running and skilful wing play.

Smith added his second goal six minutes later. Dyke played the ball into the area and Smith arrived from seemingly nowhere and slipped the ball round Kearns before prodding the ball into the net.

The result was put beyond doubt with a quarter of an hour remaining. Green’s neat footwork on the edge of the box saw him fire across the face of goal. Missed by both City striker and Wimborne defenders the ball arrived at the far post for Mat Jones to turn the ball home and give City a three-goal advantage.

Wimborne did pull another goal back on seventy-nine minutes when Mark Kenway headed home from a Marcus Oldbury corner. City should have added to their score in the last ten minutes. Lewis headed a Dyke free kick wide, Dyke shot tamely at Kearns after being set up by Kneller and the Wimborne stopper also thwarted Kneller.

Winchester : Hook, Mat Jones, Bicknell, R Lewis, Davies, Webber, Dyke, Smith, Mancey (Kneller 77), Musselwhite, Green (Wakefield 77) Unused subs Lilley, Lang and Chapman

Wimborne : Kearns, Rideout (Blackburn 89), White, Whalley, Roast, Kenway, Oldbury (Doyle 89), Smith, Clements, Cannie, Phillipson-Masters (Cousins 56)