Winchester City left Steve, Mitch and Ben U on the bench for the start of today's Youth Cup semi-final clash with Broadway Youth. With Jack unavailable this weekend Winchester decided to take the game to Broadway from the kick off playing 4-4-2 with Jamie slotting in alongside Dan upfront.
Despite a tentative first few minutes Winchester slowly took control of the match dominating in every area of the field. A number of flowing moves saw Zak's header go well wide, Dan's shot flash past the post and Danny L shoot just over before Jamie finally found the net only to be ruled off side.
Broadway picked up their game and forced a corner from which a cracking volley was spectacularly saved by Sam. This sparked Winchester into overdrive and a fantastic through ball from Ty finds Jamie and his cross is met on the half volley by Zak but his shot is deflected for a corner. The corner bounces in the box and hits a hand but the Ref sees nothing!! No penalty and before the appeals die down Ace puts in a stunning tackle to foil a Broadway break.
Further rediculous Ref decisions result in Broadway getting 2 indirect free kicks in the Winchester box but both are wasted but the Ref seems intent on stealing the show by booking Jon Oliver for pointing out yet another "Shocking" decision. The team however show great concentration and Zak wins the ball in midfield and finds Jamie. His first touch beats the player and his second slips the ball perfectly into the path of Dan who's first time shot beats the keeper and Winchester go 1 - 0 up. Within 2 minutes it's 2 - 0. Dan controls a throw, drives to the line and gets in a fantastic cross that Zak heads in at the near post.
Half time - Ben U on for Dave and Winchester keep up the pressure. Dan's shot is saved by the keeper and Zak's follow up is deflected for a corner. The corner is cleared but Ben F finds Danny L 30 yards out and he crashes his shot past the keeper to make it 3 - 0. Ben F and Jamie then combine well to set up Ben U but his header is cleared off the line and Danny K hits a superb cross that is just too strong for Jamie. With Winchester coasting Ben F and Jamie make way for Steve and Mitch.
Ace and the Broadway No. 9 follow Jon O and the Broadway No. 8 into the book! Anyone would think it was a dirty game but the fact is the Ref just didn't know what he was doing. More changes Zak off Dave back on, Danny L off and Jamie back on. There's time for a couple more chances both ends. Karl finds Steve with a great pass, Ben U steps over his cross but Dave can't convert the chance. Final score 3 - 0.
To their credit Broadway never stopped trying but, in truth, the outcome of the game had been decided by the end of the first half.
