A F C Newbury 1 Winchester City 0

For the first time in over two years, a run of 83 league matches, City failed to find the back of the net. This proved costly as a single second half quality strike from A F C Newbury also saw City topple from the top of the Wessex League table. Having gone top for the first time since November in midweek, their four day sit at the summit was ended although nearest challengers Wimborne Town managed to draw at Hamble ASSC, leaving City a point behind although with three games in hand.

For the start of a gruelling run of five matches in ten days City’s did not parade any of their three midweek signings. Andrew Forbes started the match as a substitute as did Gary Green returning from suspension and Matthew Bicknell recovering from injury.

Newbury, who gained a point in their trip to Winchester earlier this season in 1a 1-1 draw, signalled their intention early with a Jeremy Newton cross on four minutes just in front of striker Chris Geary in a good position.

Four minutes later City’s best attempt saw Shaun Dykes cross to the far post knocked back across goal by Toby Redwood but Adam Rogers had his effort blocked. The game did not live up to its early promise. On an uneven surface both sides trying to play controlled football was not working. On the half hour Ian Mancey had a double effort blocked by the home defence as they battled for anything always eager to get behind the ball to defend and then break with pace.

Shortly before the interval a high ball into the Winchester area by Lee Chudy saw David Goss’s misdirected header fall for Geary but he fired low and wide of the target.

The story was the same from the second period; Goss headed over from a Bicknell free kick who was a half time substitute. Newbury almost scored when a Newton free kick saw a Peter Tagg header cleared away for a corner. From the corner Simon Arthur only partially cleared the ball to the feet of David Asker who hit a rising drive that Arthur managed to tip away over the bar.

Forbes and Green entered the action and straightaway developed some moves for City. First they set up Danny Smith but the skipper shot wide of the target then the same fate befell Ian Mancey.

With seventy four minutes played and seemingly City edging out on top, Newbury broke away. Right back Jamie Leacock’s right wing run and cross into the near post saw former Newport IOW striker Chudy nip in front of a defender and divert a header past Arthur for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Three minutes later home skipper Daniel Mattingley forced in a low shot, which was saved by Arthur. As City swept play to the opposite end of the park, Smiths free kick Goss headed wide when well placed but worse news was to follow on eighty-four minutes for City. A scuffle in the middle of the park between Mildenhall and City’s Gary Green saw referee Mr C Powell deem that Mattingley was worthy of a yellow card for an indiscretion on Green, but the City’s man fate was to be a straight red card. The City midfielder received his marching orders for the second time in four games.

City responded by throwing Goss into a striker’s role. As the end of the match arrived, City had created further chances. Mark Blake headed over from a Smith free kick and a twenty-yard strike from Forbes that travelled all the way along the ground saw home keeper David Hook dive across the face of his goal to turn the ball away.

City : Arthur, Dyke (Forbes 68), L Green (Bicknell 45), Redwood, Goss, Blake, Webber, Smith, Mancey, Rogers, Brewster (G Green 68)