Winchester City 2 Hillingdon Borough 2

British Gas Business Southern League Div One S&W

City are rapidly building an unwanted reputation as slow starters. For the second week running they found themselves trailing in the very early stages of the game.

Missing three key lynchpins, Dave Goss (suspended) at the back, Christer Warren (transferred) in the middle and Ian Mancey (injured) up front, City?s small squad was stretched to the limit at home to Hillingdon Borough on Saturday.

The visitors started at a quick pace and took the lead in the third minute when Mark Kirby headed home from a corner on the right. This early goal gave Hillingdon the boost they needed to seek their first win of the season and Dave Hooks in the City goal was kept busy, making a particularly good save from a close-range shot. He, howevere, conceeded a second goal in the 5th minute. This was a repeat of the first but headed by Chris Phillips on this occasion from a corner on the left.

Gradually City pulled themselves back into the game. A long chase by Richard Mealey resulted in a pass which Lloyd Webber converted into a speculative lob over the advancing keeper but also, unfortunately, over the bar.

At the other end Hook was again called upon to make a save, kicking the shot high and punching it away at the second attempt.

A good move between James Davis and Pete Smith resulted in the latterr having his shot saved as City came forward again and Jaime Musselwhite shot just wide when well plcae din the next attack.

In the 35th minute of the match Winchester snatched a lifeling through Webber. The ball fell to him in space and he smacked in a stinging shot from inside the box. Hillingdon?s keeper managed to get his hand to the ball but only helped it into the top corner of the net.

Just when it appeared that the play was swinging in City?s favour they were hit by the loss of Stewart Lang who collapsed suffering from a virus and
was helped from the pitch, Chris flood substituted.

Just before the half-time whistle Smith put in a shot across the face of goal which only needed a touch to convert but unfortunately there was no
City player in position to add the final touch.

Although city started the second half on the attack and dominated the first 20 minutes good defending by Hillingdon especially by their tall number
4, skipper Matt Kidson, prevented the home side from equalising. With City not making much progress, Mealey was withdrawn by Manager Steve Moss in the 68th minute, replaced by Tom Biggs. Musslewhite went close and Flood put in a shot but Hillingdon held firm. As City piled on the pressure Smith made several penetrating runs but crossed in the air when on occasions the ground ball seemed the better option.

The break came in thje 80th minute when Flood created space and slipped the ball to Webber who netted the equaliser from an acute angle.

The last ten minutes was the most exciting period of the game as both sides tried to force the winner and for a period the spotlight fell on the City
defence as Webber helped out with a clerance, Jones and Sam Wyeth kept cool heads whilst under pressure and Danny Wakefield headed clear with Hook stranded.

The action in the Hiilngdon box featured Flood and Biggs but at the final whistle both sides had to settle for a point.

City: Dave Hook, Sam Wyeth, Pete Smith, Mark Jones, Stewart Lang, Andy Darnton, Lloyd Webber, Danny Wakefield, Jamie Musselwhite, Richard Mealey, James Davis,
Substitutes : Chris flood (38th), Tom Biggs (68th), Tom King, Mark Zawadski.