Winchester City U18's finally got their league season off to a winning start at the Denplan stadium after their first game had been cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch (in September!).
On one of the hottest days of the year so far Winchester banged in 4 goals against a Porchester team that struggled to compete in the heat. However in truth it should have been 8 or 10! With only minutes gone a sweeping move from Wincheser saw Jimmy Weekes whip in a cross from the right and Mike Glanville slide the ball just wide.
Another flowing Winchester move saw John Krentz find Zaccarius on the left. A one two with Jack Noman on the edge of the box gave him the space he needed to blast a shot just the wrong side of the post. As Winchester maintained the pressure Porchester increased the ferocity of heir tackles with Ben Rowlett taking the biggest battering. Winchester however kept their composure and were soon 1 - 0 up when Mike Glanville fooled everyone taking a shot with his left foot and finding the bottom corner of the net.
Excellent close control from Zaccarius allowed him to wriggle free of two players and find Gareth Snelling who lifted his cross into the box only for Scott Spinks to get flattened by the big Porchester central defender. A real headache for Scott but no penalty. Despite all the possession Winchester couldn't extend their lead and Porchester never came close to testing the winchester defence with Tyler Wyeth and Oli Vines looking dominant at the back and Chris Brewer very rarely troubled in goal.
The second half kicked off in the same way, Winhester on top trying to play football, Porchester fighting hard! Although Winchester were able to cut through the Porchester team with ease they just couldn't score. Adam Saunders came on in place of Ben Rowlett and was soon followed by Josh Fernandez for Jack Norman but although Winchester hit the bar most shots were still going high or wide (or both) and when Zaccarius did finally get through the keeper made a fantastic save with his foot to keep the score 1 - 0.
With Porchester tiring fast the introduction of Danny King (FA Cup goal scorer!) changed the game. Danny replaced Scott Spinks on the right and almost immediately put Wincheste 2 - 0. Further goals from Josh Fernandez and a tap in by Adam Saunders made the final score a respectable 4 - 0 but it really should have been more.
City: Chris Brewer, Jimmy Weekes, Tyler Wyeth, Oli Vines, John Krentz, Gareth Snelling, Ben Rowlett (Adam Saunders 60), Zaccarius, Scott Spinks (Danny King 75), Mike Glanville, Jack Norman (Josh Fernandez 65). Unused subs - Laim Richardson, Connor McCarthy.
Next game: 7.45 PM Tuesday 23rd September V Eastleigh at the Denplan in the FA Youth Cup
