Saints bring crowds to Denplan City Ground.
Southampton F.C. paid Winchester City a compliment by bringing along a side studded with First Teamers for a friendly at the Denplan City Stadium on Saturday. The return from long-term injury (he last played in November 2005) of the Saints defender Michael Svensson was the main talking point and the Swede came through the first 45 minutes without any apparent reaction to his knee.
The Saints team were also watched by the Club’s Chairman, Rupert Lowe, the Club’s PLC Chairman, Michael Wild and several other directors who all received encouraging support from the Saints fans.
Southampton’s new Dutch manager, Jan Poortvliet, paired Svensson with Chris Perry in central defence, with Academy graduates Jamie Hatch and Joseph ‘Fish’ Mills at full back. Paul Wotton captained the side alongside Jason Euell in the two holding midfield roles, with Oscar Gobern on the left and Jake Thomson on the right. Stern John and Matthew Paterson made up the front two and with Kelvin Davis in goal.
City Manager Andy Leader started with the match with basically the same team he finished the season with, a tribute to the loyalty of Wincester’s players. The only newcomer to the starting line-up was Kyle Joryeff signed from Bashley F.C.
The City pitch was in the best condition it has been for many seasons due to an extensive refurbishment by Steve Robinson, Ray Bulpitt and Andy Hadlington although the ground staff would have preferred another fortnight before a game was played on it!
Obviously the spotlight was on Southampton but it took them nearly a quarter of an hour before their fitness and experience told when the Trinidad and Tobago international, Stern John, converted a pass from Paul Wotton which wrong footed Andy Bayliss after it received a deflection off a defender. John was ust off traget a few minutes later when he hit one of the most powerful shots seen at Winchester in years.
Saints were well on top withwith both Thomson and Gobern working the flanks and and from one Thomson cross it looked as though Svensson had scored at the far post but his header looped onto the roof of the net.
Saints had a scare in the 34th minute Jamie Hatch was carried off after a mistimed tackle by Adam langa but luckily there appears to be no long term damage. Jamie White replaced him, with Thomson dropping back to right-back.
Gobern and Thomson, continued to torment City and Thomson’s cross in the 37th minute evaded for Matt Paterson running in, but Gobern slid the ball home well from close range. Within three minutes Saints went three up with Gobern again involved this time winning a penalty off Matt Bowler and Jason Euell converted the spot-kick.
The second half saw Aarran Racine come on for Svensson and the impressive display and Callum McNish came on for Stern John after 64 minutes.
Andy Leader swopped keepers with Will Harvey playing the second half. City supporters also saw some action from their French signing Moussa from Le Havre F.C. and promising youngster Tom Riddell and Shane Lewis.
Saints went 4-0 in the 65th minute when Mills and Euell. combined well to give the former the chance to score a well constructed goal.
City fans were given something to cheer with quarter of an hour left on the clock, when skipper Dave Allen made Kelvin Davis produce a stunning diving save to his right.
White made it 5-0 in the 80th minute heading home the rebound from Euell’s shot. which Heath did well to beat out at the first attempt.
Winchester City: Andy Bayliss, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Adam Grey, Matt Bowler, Steve Llewyan, James Eyles, James O’Keeffe, Brett Williams, Dave Allen, Kyle Joryeff. (Subs): Shane Lewis, Will Harvey, Moussa, Karl Foster, Ben Morgan, Rick Staples, Tom Butcher, Tom Riddell.
Attendance: 1175
City’s programme wins accolades
Winchester city’s superb programme for their friendly against Southampton won praise from both sets of supporters and from the press who were impressed with the unique cover design by editor Ian Denness and his creative team who encapsilated the soul of non-league football with a simple but stunning image.
City’s build-up
Both City’s First and Reserve teams have a number of pre-season friendlies to come with the highlight being the visit of Watford on Sunday 27th July, kick off 3.00p.m. Saints and City fans have thrown out a challenge to the Watford supporters to try and beat the near 1200 crowd that visited Winchester for the Southampton friendly.
To View all of Winchester FC's friendlies, go onto our home page and have a look at the Calendar.
