British Gas Business Southern League South and West Division 1

UXBRIDGE 3 WINCHESTER CITY 1

City’s run ends

Winchester City’s good run rather tamely came to an end at Uxbridge F. C. on Saturday when they never really got their game going and went
down to a side trying hard to get to the playoffs.

City’s start to the match was not ideal, temporary signing Oliver Rastall (replacing City’s goalkeepers, David Hook, injured, and Mark
Zawadaski, holiday) arrived late and then City were a goal down in 36 seconds when with the Assistant Referee still running into his position
Uxbridge booted the ball to the wing and Charlie Hill cut in and beat Rastall at the far post. Most on the ground thought Hill was offside
but the Assistant was not in a position to flag and the goal stood.

In City’s first attack Ian Mancey put his shot wide and then Mark Gamble injured his shoulder and wrist in a tackle and although he
finished the half the injury obviously worried him and he was less effective than usual. Nevetheless Gamble did set up a chance for Tom
Vavrecka but he was beaten to the ball as the cross came in.

Lloyd Webber put in a spectacular overhead kick from a corner but the ball went well over the bar. At the other end Uxbridge hit the City
post and then Rastall managed to palm out a shot as the home side pressed.

Despite this City were enjoying some pressure themselves and Gamble put the ball wide from a cross from Martin Thomas and just before half
time were awarded a penalty when Mark Weedon handled the ball whilst under pressure from Martin Thomas. Gamble cooly tucked the spot kick
away for the equaliser.

Jamie Musselwhite replaced Gamble at the start of the second half and for a 20 minute period matched Uxbridge in all departments. Rastall was
lucky when he came off his line and missed a cross but Uxbridge put this over the bar and then Mancey fed Musselwhite and he too skied his
shot.

City were given an opportunity of taking the lead when the Uxbridge keeper Robert Bullivant handled the ball fronm a pass back. Neil
Champion placed the free kick and Webber blasted the resultant loose ball into the defensive wall and it was cleared. Phil Cousins pumped
it back into the box and Musselwhite just failed to connect when well placed.

A superb goal from Neville Stamp in the 68th minute finished City off. From about 45 yards out he thumped the ball and its wicked curve gave
Rastall no chance as it rocketed into the net just under the crossbar.

Cousins was replaced by Franny Dolan in the 70th minute as City tried to get back into the game but they seemed to have lost their rhythm and
saw the points finally lost in the 76th minute when they failed to clear and Jamie Pritchard shot home from close range.

With the results at the bottom of the league going with them City only need a point to make mathematically certain of staying up this season
and will seek that on Tuesday when they are home to Cheshum United or on saturday when they are again at home this time to when they are
home to Abingdon United.

City: Oliver Rastall, Martin Thomas, Peter Smith, Mark Jones, Joshua Thomas, Phil Cousins, Lloyd Webber, Tom Vavrecka, Mark Gamble, Neil
Champion, Ian Mancey, Substitutes Jaimie Musselwhite (45), Francis Dolan (70), Sean Thurgood.