Following the clash with Eastleigh last week a number of the Winchester City squad were still doubtful for this match having not made training mid week. However the hot, sunny, sunday afternoon made everyone feel better! and in the end it was only Ben F who was unavailable for today's game.
After a tentative start Winchester found themselves on the backfoot with Stoneham finding room down the right and forcing Webby into a fine save at the near post. Stoneham had started well but slowly Winchester started to force the tempo and stamp their authority on the game. Steve, Danny L and Zak were strong in midfield with Matt and Ace always keen to force the pace on the overlap.
With 20 minutes gone Danny L slides the perfect through ball into the path of David who's shot hits the keeper and rebounds to Zak who cracks home from 25 yards. 1 - 0 up but Winchester still couldn't settle into a rhythm. Zak had another long range effort skim the top of the bar but when Karl and Danny K come on for Matt and David it immediately had an impact. A long throw is flicked on by Dan, Zak challenges the keeper and knocks the ball back to Dan to slot home from close range 2 - 0 at last.
The second half starts far more positively for Winchester with Jamie, Steve, Zak and Danny K all going close and even Ty getting in on the act with a couple of shots! But at 2 - 0 it was time for another change and the management took off all of the front three and brought on Ben U, Jack and Josh. Winchester kept up the fight but just couldn't get going spending too much time on the ball and just looking slow in key positions on the pitch, Stoneham broke down the right forcing Webby into another good save and it looked like we would need another goal to put the game beyond doubt. Finally a good move down the left and the ball drops for "The Jack" on the edge of the box to crack home his 11th goal in Winchester colours 3 - 0.
With the result now beyond doubt Andy and Jon rotated the squad again and Winchester see out the rest of the game without incident.
Next game VT Youth in the Hants Cup
