BRITISH GAS BUSINESS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ! SOUTH AND WEST

Making their first ever visit to Wey Court, home of Godalming Town, on Tuesday night Winchester City shook off the poor display at Newport with a determined victory whilst under considerable pressure from a competitive side.

Manager Andy Leader gave starts to his three latest signings, Mike McEnery (on loan from Havant and Waterlooville), Adam Grey (transferred from VT) and Scott Carter (transferred from Gosport Borough) and played James Wilson as a sweeper, which, as it turned out, was a shrewd move.

City started well with Adam Lang putting in the first shot of the match, sending the ball just wide of the far post but it was Godalming who exerted sustained pressure first giving keeper Clint Davies plenty to do. He dived to put a shot around the post for a corner and then punched clear in a crowded box.

Wilson worked hard in his sweeper’s role and mopped up almost every ball that penetrated the screen put up by Matt Bowler, Steve Llewelyn, Lang and Adam George.but nevertheless City lived dangerously at times as Godalming drove forward. Jamie Laister glanced a goal-bound header which Davies managed grab and then to rare break saw George test the keeper at the other end. Carter impressed with both his defensive play and his runs from midfield that added a bit of bite missing in the last few games.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with Godalming looking the more likely to score but City coping well under pressure and a 0-0 draw on the cards. Adam Grey and Llewelyn combined well in midfield to set up a chance for McEney but the ball drifted away from him and was cleared. Godalming appealed for a penalty in their next attack but the referee did not respond.

With time ticking away it was City who achieved the breakthrough. Lan and Carter combined to set up Hussey who jinxed along the byeline and floated a perfect cross just out of reach of the keeper, McEnery coming in on the blind side had the relatively simple task of sweeping the ball into the net from close range (71st minute).

Stung by this Godalming surged forward for the last ten minutes and City won the game with some brilliant defending although Hussey could have made it 2-0 at the death when he put an overhead kick just wide from a free kick.

City: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Adam George,Matt Bowler, Steve Llewelyn, Sam Carter, Mike McEnery, Adam Grey, Sam Lockyer, Substitutes: Scott Gilham, Andy Jacob, Paul Taplin, Richard Gregory.