BRITISH GAS BUSINESS FOOTBALL LEAGUE SOUTH AND WEST DIVISION 1

City had no answer to Fleet’s James Field whose speed and superb finishing brought the home side back into Championship contention with a solo display that won accolades from both sides. City started the stronger of the two side and some tenacious tackling and good positioning and plenty of encouraging talk especially from Adam Grey, prevented Fleet from making much progress. City could have taken the lead early in the game when Aaron Parfitt headed on for Dave Allen who was well placed but unfortunately ruled offside.

Fleet took the lead in the 21st minute from a free-kick for a foul. The Winchester defence and keeper, Clint Davies, lined up to defend a cross, but Field curled the ball around the wall and into the top corner of the net. City hit back and Mike McEnemy put in a good run but was unable to get the ball out from under his feet in a crowded penalty area.

Fleet added a second goal in the 37th minute It was man of the match Field who made the the goal, picking up a long throw-in from the right, he chipped the ball to Anderson, who made no mistake as he headed in from close range.

In an effort to get back in the game Manager Andy Leader brought on Adam George for Parfitt and Sam Carter for Paul Taplin at the start of the second half but almost immediately Fleet went three up. Their third goal, in the 47th, minute was another superb free kick by Field. Field completed his hat-trick five minutes later when this time he had a bit of luck clipping the post with his header and luckily for him and unluckily for Winchester the ball spun in the net instead of back into play.

City were all most caught out again a few minutes later when Darren Campbell hit the post after a solo run but this time the ball did bounce clear. With the game now effectively won Fleet were however put under pressure as City dominated the last period of the match. Dave Allen was replaced by Brett Wiliams in the 62nd minute and it was him who gave City was respectability heading home a good cross from Richard Gregory in the 76th minute.

City: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Aaron Parfitt, Dave Llewelyn, Matt Bowler, Dave Allen, Richard Gregory, Mike McEnemy, Adam Grey, Paul Taplin, Substitutes, Sam Carter (46th), Adam George (46th), James Eyles, Warren Bentley, Brett Williams (62nd).

City are at home to Bridgewater Town on Easter Saturday and face an attractive local derby at home to Andover on Easter Monday, both games Kick Off at 3.00 p.m.