British Gas Business Southern League South and West Division 1

Winchester City 2 Didcot Town 1

City fight on all fronts for the points

In a game littered with fouls and free kicks, City overcame a heavy pitch and a Didcot Town team who came looking for a fight rather than a football
match on Tuesday evening to record a well deserved win.

The Club welcomed back Martin Beck, signed yesterday from Lymington and New Milton, and he took a place on the bench.

City made a dream start going ahead in the third minute, Phil Cousins hitting a great first-time shot that rocked into the net with Chris Webb, the Didcot keeper, not even moving to the ball. This obviously rattled the visitors and the first of a series of heavy tackles went in on Mark Gamble as he advanced on goal a few minutes later. The Referee penalised Didcot but Tom Vavrecka?s free kick was tamely hit.

As Didcot got into their stride David Hook made a good diving save in the Winchester goal and Josh Thomas cleared. Gradually, however, City began to dominate the attacking play. A dangerous cross by Vavrecka was nicked off Jamie Musselwhite?s head by the keeper and Vavrecka again created a chance with a run down the flank but on this occasion Gamble put his shot wide.

City had a let off when they conceded a free kick on the edge of their own penalty area and the ball was put just over the bar.

At the other end Pete Smith made a great run but passed into space and then in the next attack he was fouled on the edge of the penalty area in a central position but Vavrecka?s free kick was well saved. It was an indication, a few minutes later, of the Referee?s inability to let the game flow when he booked Smith was taking his time with a thrown in when he was just looking for an opening and then gave the throw back to City after the booking to the outrage of the Didcot players.

City knew their luck was in when Didcot had a goal disallowed for offside, again another decision that added to their frustration, and was the cause
for an increasing number of fouls as the game progressed and they lost their self-control. The ?goal? was scored with a powerful header from a free kick but the Assistant ruled a Didcot player offside who was actually on the ground and away from the area from which the header came.

Winchester came back, Lloyd Webber won the ball on the touchline and crossed for Jamie Musselwhite to head close and Cousins put in a similar cross which Gamble hit, but again just wide. As the foul count rose, City were dragged into the ill discipline and Musselwhite also picked up a booking.

The second half started with Didcot on the attack and the spotlight fell on the City defence. Mark Jones, who has brought stability back to the defence
had a good game whilst Neil Champion and Sean Thurgood managed to get forward on numerous occasions and Thomas was the man of the match with sound defensive skills.

Having withstood about ten minutes of Didcot pressure, City scored again. Smith worked his way down the wing and crossed for Gamble to head home (57th) from close range, a just reward for all his hard work.

On the hour Manager Steve Moss gave Cousins and Musselwhite a rest and brought on Martin Beck and Zach Glasspool. Beck was soon in action crossing from the wing and then winning a ball on the edge of the area but no sooner did City look liable to score a third goal, Didcot dragged themselves back into the game. A free kick by Ian Concannon in the 67th minute appeared to evade everyone in the City box and sailed past Hook.

Despite the setback City continued to seek the killer goal and Vavrecka laid on a chance for Webber whose long-range shot was over the bar and then Glasspool also put a header wide. A series of corners by Smith saw Champion, Gamble, Thomas and Beck all get in shots.

In the 78th minute City?s luck held once again when an attacking move by Didcot saw them hit the post with Hook stranded. With ten minutes to go Chris Flood came on the replace Gamble who was begining to struggle in the heavy ground.

As time ticked away City?s last chance appeared to have fallen to Webber. Beck?s pass however, was just too long for him and he was unable to get a shot in.

The game ended in a rather ugly scene as a Dicot player was sent off for two yellow cards and the rest of his team took exception to the decision.

City: David Hook, Neil Champion, Peter Smith, Mark Jones, Josh Thomas, Phil Cousins, Lloyd Webber, Tom Vavrecka, Mark Gamble, Jamie Musselwhite, Sean Thurgood, Substitutes, Chris Flood (80), Mark Zawadski, Zach Glasspool (57th), Dan Wakefield, Martin Beck (57th).