Winchester City U18s took on Hamble in the Hants Cup fielding 9 members of the squad playing their 2nd game in 24 hours! Danny King had stared for the first X1 against North Leigh and the others had turned out for the reserves in a top of the table clash with Gosport Borough. But despite playing 2 games in 24 hours there were no signs of tiredness and Winchester marched through to the next round of the cup and a mouth watering tie against Winchester Castle.
From the start Winchester took the iniative and Jamie picked up where he left off against Gosport turning the left bck inside out and tormenting the Hamble defence at every opportunity. Pete and Royce were looking dangerous upfront but unfortunately more often than not the final shot failed to require a save from the keeper. A great through ball set Pete free but he chose to pass rather than shoot and the chance was wasted, Pete you must get more selfish!
Ben was on excellent form again winning crunching tackles and knowing just when to knock it short and when to hit a pin point 50 yard cross field ball! One magnificent pass found Billy on the left and his shot rebounded to Royce who hit a thunderbolt from the edge of the box crashing against the bar. Minutes later Ben left the Hamble midfielder on his arse with a neat drag back and a great one two between Ash and Jamie set Ash free down the right but his cross was headed just wide.
Winchester defence were able to restrict Hamble to a couple of half chances and the highlight of the first half for Chris was having the opportunity to take a goal kick! Oli and Connor were again looking dominant at the back and Danny King was looking for any opportunity to roam forward. Quick interplay between Danny and Ben found Gareth on the edge of the box and his volley went just wide and the first half ended 0 - 0.
The second half took up the way the first finished with Winchester on the attack and it wasn't long before Winchester finally got their noses in front. Gareth found Jamie on the right and he beat his man and crossed low into the 6 yard box for Billy to knock into the net for 1 - 0. Billy then made way for Zak and almost immediately he managed to dance in and out of the Hamble defence and whip in a low shot to the near post that was gathered safely by the keeper.
Pete made way for Josh and he instantly got in on the action but his shot was knocked behind for a corner. Winchester kept up the pressure and a long shot from Ben was headed just over by Zak before Winchester finally went 2 - 0 up. Another great move down the right saw Jamie crack his shot against the far post and the ball rebound to Royce for another simple tap in.
It should have been plain sailing from then on but despite the occassional flash of individual brilliance Winchester couldn't find the net again and Hamble started to cause trouble the other end. It wasn't therefore a total suprise when they cracked in a shot from outside the box to make it 2 - 1 and give themslves a chance. However the result never really looked in danger, but to keep progressing in the Cup Winchester will need to take all their chances in the future.
City: Chris Brewer, Ash Elliott, Connor McCarthy, Oli Vines, Danny King, Jamie Craven, Gareth Snelling, Ben Rowlatt, Billy Cooper (Zaccarius 60), Pete Walker (Josh Fernandez 70), Royce Reed. Unused Subs: Adam Saunders, Karl Littleboy.
