BSB Southern League - South West Division

WINCHESTER CITY 6 - BEACONSFIELD SYCOB 0

SIX OF THE BEST FROM CITY

John Moody

Despite the fact that it is not yet Christmas, Winchester City was involved in what was potentially a relegation match at home against Beaconsfield Slough Youth Centre Old Boys on Saturday. Once again Manager Steve Moss was robbed of his full squad for selection and was missing David Hook and Neil Champion (injured) and Jamie Musselwhite (honeymoon), but nevertheless the team put in its best performance of the season.

City showed their intent from the kick-off with Ian Mancey putting a shot just wide, hitting a dropping ball from the edge of the area. It did not
take long for him to find the target however, in the 3rd minute he shot from the edge of the box which rocketed off the underside of the bar and Mark
Gamble following up headed into the net, picking up an injury in the process. Whilst the goal was originally credited to Gamble, the Referee confirmed that his Assistant had signalled that Manceys shot had crossed the line before bouncing out off the crossbar.

For this point on Winchester dominated the half with Gamble playing a large part in the attacking moves, his pace leaving the Rams defence floundering n his wake. He set up a chance for Pete Smith but he was wrong footed and shot wide and then put in a good run and was denied a penalty when he was brought down in the box.

City put the ball in the net when Gamble headed on for Mancey to net but the goal was disallowed for a found by Gamble. Mancey was not to be denied, however, he picked up a cross from Smith and headed home off the post this time (27th minute)!

City started the second half as they finished the first, on the attack. Gamble had a header saved from a corner and Lloyd Webber worked his way goalwards and forced the keeper into a save. For a period Winchester dropped off the pace and allowed Beaconsfield back into the game. Despite this however, the defence, well marshalled by Mark Jones, was not really troubled.

With just over an hour gone Mancey was given rest and Chris Flood substituted. Just after, keeper Mark Zawadski was called upon to make a diving save in a rare beaconsfield attack.

City re-established their superiority in the 70th minute when Flood laid on an accurate short ball to Gamble and he beat the keeper in a one on one
situation from close range.

As Winchester piled on the pressure Sean Thurgood ventured upfield and put a header close from a free kick. In the 72nd minute Fran Dolan made way for Mervin Rogers to give both players, recovering from injury, some play time.

Gamble was denied a penalty for the second time as he broke through after a great solo run but a few minutes later Danny Wakefield put the result beyond doubt when he too made a run into the area and put away his shot with aplomb (82nd minute).

With time running out it was a question of how many more City could get. Gamble was rewarded for all his work when he netted his second in the 84th minute from a cross from Tom Vavrecka and then turned provider for Vavrecka to net Citys sixth in the 88th.

City: Mark Zawadski, Franny Dolan, Pete Smith, James Davis, Mark Jones, Lloyd Webber, Tom Vavrecka, Ian Mancey, Mark Gamble, Dan Wakefield, Substitutes : Chris Flood, Stewart Lang, Melvin Rogers, Rory Anderson.

City travel to Marlow on Saturday when the Clubs famous Bus Shelter Band will celebrate its first anniversary with a concert of Christmas music and
there again perhaps they wont!