British Gas Business Southern League South and West Divsion

Marlow 3 Winchester City 1

Missing regulars Ian Mancey, Mark Jones, Mervyn Rogers, Wes O?Connor, Neil Champion and Jamie Muselwhite, Manager Steve Moss was forced to re-organise his team once again and brought in new signings Lee New aand Adam Amable on the bench with youngsters Tom King and Ross Diaper also added to the squad for the visit to Marlow.

The day marked the first anniversary of City?s Bus Shelter band and they and supporters decorated a section of the Marlow stand with flags and balloons and made an encouraging ?noise? throughout the game.

Ben Wright. started where he left off at Lymington and New Milton on Wednesday by firing in an early shot which was just wide. but it was Marlow who took an early lead, Jeremaine Roche heading in a cross at the far post in the 17th minute.

City persisted, however, and Sean Thurgood headed on for Mark Gamble to fire a shot close and Francis Dolan laid on a ball for Wright but he could not dig it out from under his feet and the chance was gone.

Gradually Winchester began to dominate play and were rewarded in the 38th minute when Wright curled a delightful equaliser into the top corner of the net and a few minutes later he broke through with just the keeper to beat but Michael Watkins managed to get his hand to the ball and divert it for
a corner.

Ross Diaper showed some nice touches on the flank amd worked his way into the penalty box on several occasions only to be thwarted by some good defending.

City started the second half under pressure when James Davis failed to clear and as a result Mark Zawadski was called upon to make two good saves. Thurgood , Dolan and Lloyd Webber all worked hard at the back and Marlow were given few chances in the box. At the other end Pete Smith created a chance for Wright which he duly netted only to be ruled offside.

Rather against the play at this stage Marlow again took the lead. Roche now turned provider and crossed for James Flint to bundle the ball home at the near post (65th minute).

City came back strongly and Smith laid on another chance for Wright but a bad bounce denied him a shooting opportunity. At this stage Diaper made way for Lee New and he soon made an impression when he shot and the keeper fumbled for a corner. Smith took the resultant kick and Gamble converted the cross to a shot which the keeper did well to tip over the bar. Tom Vavrecka and Dan Wakefield now began to take control of midfield and with New carved out openings for Gamble and Wright. Thurgood went close with a header from a corner and Wright ?scored? again only to be penalised for offside as City tried to force the equaliser.

The points slipped away, however, in the 89th minute when Scott Webb powered in Marlows third after three throw-ins close to the city penalty area were not cleared properly.

Lyn and Terry Bone made a fine festive gesture by giving all the travelling supporters on the coach a Christmas gift and back at the clubhouse in Winchester Lyn produced a superb first anniversary cake for the band which was enjoyed by all who attended the clubs Christmas draw.

City: Mark Zawadski, Francis Dolan, James Davis, Tom Vavrecka, Sean Thurgood, Ross Diaper, Lloyd Webber, Dan Wakefield, Peter Smith, Mark Gamble, Ben Wright, Substitutes, Lee New (65th) Adam Aamable, Tom King, David Hook