With a growing injury list, Winchester needed to call up 3 juniors for today's clash against Eatsliegh Spitfires with Jamie B forcing his way in to the starting line up. However with a number of the team playing out of position it took a while for the game to come to life.
Karl and Danny K were once again masterly at the back and a great bit of defending by Karl released Jamie C down the right. Neat inter-play with Jack allowed Jamie C to get in his cross but Steve couldn't keep his header down. Jamie B and Danny L were developing a good understanding in central midfield and they both tested the Eastleigh keeper from long range before Ty got on the end of a free kick only to see his shot tipped round the post.
Despite playing some good football going forward Winchester were opened up down the right and when they failed to clear the cross it allowed the Eastleigh No 11 to slot under Sam to make it 1 - 0. Eastleigh grew in confidence and had their best period of the match and Danny K made a fantastic last ditch tackle to stop them going further ahead. However Winchester weathered the storm and a quick throw from Ace was flicked on to Zak who beat his man on the right and whipped in a cross for Jack to bring a fantastic save out of the Eastleigh keeper.
Then with half time fast approaching Winchester failed to clear another Eastleigh cross and found themselves 2 - 0 down in a game they could have been winning!!!
At half time Winchester switched to a 3- 5 -2 formation but it was Eastleigh who threatened first bringing a stunning save out of Sam at the near post to keep the score 2 - 0. Jack made way for Dave and he immediately had an impact making a strong run down the wing and firing in a cross that should have been headed home. Jamie C then made a dashing run into the box but a superb double save from the keeper stopped both Steve and Dave from scoring.
With 15 minutes left it all changed. Jamie B made way for Ben S and Winchester switched to a 3- 4- 3 formation in an all out attempt to get something out of the game. Zak won a crunching tackle in midfield and releases Steve through the middle but his shot goes wide. It's now all Winchester but they still can't find the net until Ben S runs through onto a long cross from the right to hit his first time shot into the far corner to make it 2 -1.
Winchester continued to press looking for the equaliser they so thoroughly deserved and with just seconds left it came. Another shot from Jack is tipped round the post and from the resulting corner the ball drops to Ben S in the six yard box to smash in his second of the game and make the final score 2 - 2.
A fantastic fight back and well deserved point!
