Saturday 2nd Sept 2006
F.A. Cup Preliminary Round
Winchester City 4 Chatham Town 3
City pulled triumph from disaster in 45 scintillating minutes of the second half of their FA Cup tie against Chatham Town on Saturday to record one of the greatest comeback feats in the Club's history? they turned a 3-0 half time deficit to a 4-3 victory. The Club's first home victory in the FA Cup in 50 years.
High winds and rain made the playing conditions at the Denplan City stadium impossible for constructive football and the weather created the classic game of two halves with Chatham Town top in the first and City dominant in the second.
David Hook in the City goal was brought into the game early and made two good saves as his defence took time to settle.
The wind assisted Chatham who piled on the pressure. Stuart Lang cleared at the last moment and Andy Darnton recovered well after being beaten on the edge of the box to boot upfield at the second attempt.
Chathams' first break came in the 23rd minute when Lloyd Webber pushed the ball over his own goal line in an attempt to clear. Although San Wyeth lashed it out the Assistant Referee ruled the goal to stand.
Matters went from bad to worse in the 30th minute when Rob Goodyear was allowed the space to gently lob a header past Hook from close range to put Chatham two-nil up.
A few minutes later Manager Steve Moss brought on James Davis for Paul Marks and he soon showed some influence when he released Richard Mealey with an accurate ball, although unfortunately, the number 10 put his shot wide.
Just when it seemed City were coming back in to the game disaster struck again when Mark Jones gave Chatham another own goal as he attempted to clear.
Playing with the wind in the second half, City wasted no time with the fightback a fine individual run and shot by Pete Smith saw the bounce deceive the ?keeper for City?s opening goal (50th minute).
Jamie Musselwhite put in a powerful header only to see the ?keeper claw it out when he appeared beaten. Danny Wakefield was brought down when well place and Mealey put in a close-range shot which went wide as City tried to narrow the gap.
In the 75th minute Tom Briggs replaced Mealey who did not appear to be moving freely.
Both Smith and Jones made penetrating runs from the back and Jones powered in goal number two in the 80th minute after a good midfield move had created a space. Webber dominated midfield and controlled the game with some good interceptions and accurate passes.
With time running out Citys' equaliser came in the 85th minute when Musselwhite was brought down in the penalty box. He took the spot kick himself giving the ?keeper no chance with a well-placed shot.
With Citys' management settling for the long journey to Chatham for Tuesday nights replay, Webber created the winner. He chested down the ball whilst under pressure, laid it off for a cross and Musselwhite bravely threw himself at the ball to head home the winner in the 90th minute.
City: D.Hook, S.Wyeth, P.Smith, M.Jones, S.Lang, A. Darnton, L.Webber, D.Wakefield, J. Musselewhite, R. Mealey, P.Marks, J.Davis, T.Briggs (75)
Unused Subs. S. Moss, M. Zawadski
Winchester City 4 Chatham Town 3
City pulled triumph from disaster in 45 scintillating minutes of the second half of their FA Cup tie against Chatham Town on Saturday to record one of the greatest comeback feats in the Club's history? they turned a 3-0 half time deficit to a 4-3 victory. The Club's first home victory in the FA Cup in 50 years.
High winds and rain made the playing conditions at the Denplan City stadium impossible for constructive football and the weather created the classic game of two halves with Chatham Town top in the first and City dominant in the second.
David Hook in the City goal was brought into the game early and made two good saves as his defence took time to settle.
The wind assisted Chatham who piled on the pressure. Stuart Lang cleared at the last moment and Andy Darnton recovered well after being beaten on the edge of the box to boot upfield at the second attempt.
Chathams' first break came in the 23rd minute when Lloyd Webber pushed the ball over his own goal line in an attempt to clear. Although San Wyeth lashed it out the Assistant Referee ruled the goal to stand.
Matters went from bad to worse in the 30th minute when Rob Goodyear was allowed the space to gently lob a header past Hook from close range to put Chatham two-nil up.
A few minutes later Manager Steve Moss brought on James Davis for Paul Marks and he soon showed some influence when he released Richard Mealey with an accurate ball, although unfortunately, the number 10 put his shot wide.
Just when it seemed City were coming back in to the game disaster struck again when Mark Jones gave Chatham another own goal as he attempted to clear.
Playing with the wind in the second half, City wasted no time with the fightback a fine individual run and shot by Pete Smith saw the bounce deceive the ?keeper for City?s opening goal (50th minute).
Jamie Musselwhite put in a powerful header only to see the ?keeper claw it out when he appeared beaten. Danny Wakefield was brought down when well place and Mealey put in a close-range shot which went wide as City tried to narrow the gap.
In the 75th minute Tom Briggs replaced Mealey who did not appear to be moving freely.
Both Smith and Jones made penetrating runs from the back and Jones powered in goal number two in the 80th minute after a good midfield move had created a space. Webber dominated midfield and controlled the game with some good interceptions and accurate passes.
With time running out Citys' equaliser came in the 85th minute when Musselwhite was brought down in the penalty box. He took the spot kick himself giving the ?keeper no chance with a well-placed shot.
With Citys' management settling for the long journey to Chatham for Tuesday nights replay, Webber created the winner. He chested down the ball whilst under pressure, laid it off for a cross and Musselwhite bravely threw himself at the ball to head home the winner in the 90th minute.
City: D.Hook, S.Wyeth, P.Smith, M.Jones, S.Lang, A. Darnton, L.Webber, D.Wakefield, J. Musselewhite, R. Mealey, P.Marks, J.Davis, T.Briggs (75)
Unused Subs. S. Moss, M. Zawadski
Document last updated: 08/06/2007
