Winchester travelled to Paulton Rovers on Monday evening and despite playing very well a combination of factors prevented them coming away without any points. The game revolved around two penalties and two sendings off. Before the match both teams clapped Rovers’ Rob Cousins onto the pitch for his his 900th senior appearance, a fabulous record.

The very heavy pitch did not help City’s style of football and Rovers caught them early and should have gone ahead straight from the kick off but luckily the shot was blazed well over the bar. Two more shots were well covered as City began to settle and on the break could have scored on 19 minutes as a ball from defence saw Richard Gregory race clear but keeper Dave Dyson came off his line to smother the shot.

A similar move in the 22nd minute was more successful however, and this time the keeper was not so fortunate Gregory fired home from 20 yards and was wheeling away in celebration before the ball had crossed the line, so confident was he that he had scored. The lead was only momentary as straight from the kick off Paulton were awarded a penalty. Despite City protests that Robbie Claridge had pushed into Matt Bowler instead of the other way around, he gave the spot kick and Claridge sent Clint Davies, the wrong way to level.

City were soon back in the lead however and on 28 minutes Gregory restored the visitor’s lead this time calmly lobbing the advancing Dyson. It could have been worse for Rovers as two minutes later Dave Allen saw his well struck 30 yard shot smack against Dyson’s left hand post and James Wilkinson and then Gregory just failed to get the rebounds on target.

The game turned in the 40th minute when through ball caught the City defence and Claridge was left clear. Scott Gilham went into the tackle and appeared to miss both the player and the ball as the striker clattered to the ground and was shown a straight red card. Claridge again took the penalty, and although Davies got a hand it to it there was sufficient force behind it to find the net.

Striker James Wilkinson was sacrificed for Steve Llewelyn (42nd) as City had to concentrate on defence. Rovers got in front just before half time as Hulbert controlled the ball well and set Claridge away to completed his hat trick with a shot from 15 yards.

The penalty decision and sending off was still a sore point as City walked off for half time and unfortunately Manager Andy Leader was red- carded for alleged remarks made about the referee and City had to play the second half with ten men and no manager or assistant as Steve Meledew was serving a suspension. Danny Robinson took over the dugout and City responded well to the crisis by nearly winning the game.

Before that however, they had to overcome the hurdle of conceding another goal. Davies pushed a Cleverley shot from a narrow angle out for a corner on the left. The same player swung over the kick and Peckham headed home in the 47th minute. Any thoughts that Rovers might now coast to victory were dispelled as first Adam George shot into the side netting when clean through and then on 58 minutes Rovers twice cleared off their line under severe pressure from Allan and Lockyer.

Tom Riddell replaced Taplin in the 63rd minute to give Paulton’s something else to cover up front.

Rovers responded and Cleverley twice went close before setting up Sheppard but his half volley was well saved by Davies. They were denied another penalty but were seemingly coasting to victory when City twice came close as Gregory was denied a hat trick by a fine save from Dyson who also then saved a Sam Lockyer volley. With with two minutes left City were awarded a penalty as Cousins upended Adam Lang in the area and for the third time a penalty was converted, this time by George (86th).

City: Clint Davies, Gareth Thomas, Adam Lang, Adam George, Scott Gillham, Matt Bowler, Richard Gregory, David Allen, James Wilkinson, Paul Taplin, Sam Lockyer, Substitutes James Knight, Aaron Parfitt, Dave Llewellyn (42th), James O’Keeffe, Tom Riddell (63rd).

Good News for Tom...
Winchester City are pleased that Tom Riddell has been offered trials with AFC Bournemouth and he was due to play in their Combination side away to Swansea on Wednesday 6th February