JACK COMES BACK TO HAUNT CITY
by John Moody
Winchester City kick-started their season with a well-won point at Larges Lane, Bracknell on Saturday.
Manager Andy Leader decided to play a more direct game and introduced another new player against Bracknell Town, James Roden, signed from
A.F.C. Totton.
It took City some time to settle with the Robins having the better of the early exchanges. A long ball out of defence was won in the chase by Bracknell’s new centre forward, Nathan jack, who had scored against City a few weeks before in the F.A. Cup for Flackwell Heath. He, however, put his shot wide.
Bracknell’s early pressure paid off and they took the lead in the 9th minute. With City appealing for offside, Jack nipped in and netted from close range.
City had a chance to equalise when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area for a foul on Adam Kelly but unfortunately Sam Lockyer tamely put the kick straight to a Bracknell player. A few minutes later a similar free kick was delivered more positively and Brett Williams forced the the Robin's keeper, Max Aneke, into a good save. James Wilson and Sam Lockyer worked the flanks and Lee Burch was creative in midfield but nevertheless Bracknell continued to press and a long-range shot was brilliantly turned over the bar by City keeper, Clint Davies.
City hit back and Llewelyn had a good shot fisted out and Roden put the rebound over the bar.
At the other end Matt Bowler was beaten for pace but Davies pushed the shot away for a corner which was kicked off the line by Andy Botherwick as it lanced in.
The half ended with City pressing forward. Bowler put in a strong header from a free kick which was cleared and then Moussa Mamadou back-heeled for Williams to get in a shot, which unfortunately, due to a bad bobble of the ball, went over the bar.
Richard Gregory started the second half in place of Burch and it was City who started on top, hitting the post and then Aneke made two saves from Williams as Winchester abandoned the long ball for their more familiar passing game. Kelly, Roden and Llewelyn dominated midfield and Gregory’s presence added pace to the attack.
Bracknell were not beaten, however, and City had a let-off when they slammed the ball against the under side of the bar but luckily it bounced clear.
I the 65th minute Mamadou received a knock and came off to be replaced by Kyle Joryeff, and it looked as if he had equalised with almost his first touched when he attempted to lob the keeper but the custodian recovered to catch the ball under the bar.
As City continued to press Joryeff was caught on the edge of the box, but the defender had just got to the ball first. Winchester’s penalty appeal was turned down.
Ian Davies came on for Borthwick in the 70th minute and this proved to be the master stroke. He was soon in action taking a long shot which the keeper pushed over the bar. Next Gregory worked the ball into the box, Roden crossed and Joryeff rose and headed home for the equaliser in the 84th minute.
(The balls sails over Max Aneke for Kyle Joryeff's equaliser - photo courtesy Paul Paxford)
With only 6 minutes to go only one team looked to have the skill to find a winner and that was Winchester City. Some good work by Williams saw him push the ball just wide and Bowler headed a free kick just wide. Following a mis-kick from the keeper, right at the death, Davies was clear but the eeper redeemed himself with a brilliant full length diving save to turn the ball around the post.
City face Bridgwater Town at home on Saturday, kick off 3.00p.m.
City: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Sam Lockyer, Lee Burch (Richard Gregory 45), Matt Bowler, Steve Llewellyn, James Roden, Adam Kelly, Brett Williams, Moussa Mamadou (Kyle Joryeff 65), Andy Borthwick (Ian Davies 70).
