BRITISH GAS BUSINESS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 SOUTH AND WEST

City gained the dubious honour of being the first team to lose at St George’s Park, this season, they handed rock bottom Newport the points with a pretty inept display despite dominating the match. To rub salt into the wound it was City signing Richard Zammit, who had transferred to Newport the week before, who scored the only goal of the match.

Newport attacked straight from the kick off and a 20 yard shot was Ryan Woodford was deflected wide but it was City who looked the more threatening when James Knight shot over the bar from inside the penalty area. Both teams struggled to create many chances during the first half. James Knight was through on goal but the Newport keeper, Sam Webb, was quickly out to deny him a scoring opportunity. In the next attack Aaron Parfitt shot wide and then Matt Bowler’s header was easily saved.

In a rare Newport attack Mark Lilley (another ex-City player) broke down the right and his low cross was fumbled by keeper Clint Davies but the ball broke to a James Wilson who cleared. City were denied a penalty when Knight appeared to have been pulled down in the box and them Adam George beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty area but put his shot over the bar as City increased the pressure.

City had an escape when Lilley broke through but Davies dived to divert his shot but he was powerless to stop a rocket from 25 yards from Zammitt which flew into the net in the 35th minute to give Newport the lead.

Winchester made two substitutions at half time with Mike McEnery (on lean from Havant and Waterlooville) and Andy Jacob replacing Knight and Parfitt. It looked as if City would be back on terms when in the opening minute Richard Gregory broke through and chipped the keeper but he managed to recover and clear the ball.

As Winchester continued to mount the attacks Newport defended deeper and George, Stuart Hussey, Steve Llewellyn and Sam Lockyer all had chances but in the end did not bother the keeper unduly. Winchester’s best opportunity came on 80 minutes when a low cross found McEnery in front of goal but somehow the ball was scrambled clear.

The Newport defence held out following a succession of Winchester corners as defenders blocked shots to frustrate the visitors. Goalkeeper Davies decided to join in the attack for one corner but when the ball was cleared to Craig Thomas, he was still in the Newport penalty area. Thomas picked the ball up in his own half and proceeded to head straight for the empty City goal. Unfortunately for Newport he ran out of steam and the ball outran him for a goalkick before he could turn it in.

This Saturday City are at home to one of the promotion favourites, Oxford City, and need a good performance.

City: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Adam George, Matt Bowler, Steve LLewellyn, James Knight, Aaron Parfitt, Stuart Hussey, Richard Gregory, Sam Lockyer, Substitutes: Gareth Thomas, Michael McEnery (46th), Adam Grey, Andy Jacob (46th)