PETERSFIELD TOWN 1 WINCHESTER CITY 8
SYDENHAMS WESSEX LEAGUE COMBINATION CUP, 2nd ROUND
A 25 minute hat-trick from Carl Foster set City's second string on the way to a comfortable victory against a Petersfield side that included 5 players who have started for their first team this season.
After a dramatic race back to Winchester for the kit which had been left behind, the match kicked off some 7 minutes late. Despite the lack of preparation, City started strongly and were stroking the ball around the pitch, and showing themselves to be competitive in midfield. City carved out the first chance of the match when a 50 yard cross field pass fell perfectly at the feet of Butcher but Burt was able to save comfortably. At the opposite end, Harvey was at full stretch to turn Liam Bray's shot past the post for a corner.
City took the lead in the 11th minute when Carl Foster challenged Game and the ball looped over the Town keeper into the back of the net. Only four minutes later another defensive error almost let City in again. Foster won the ball on the right and square to Riddell, but Bray spread himself to save with his feet.
City's biggest scare to date came in the 26th minute, when Tom Wray took the ball round two defenders to give himself a one on one but Harvey made himself a big target that the forward was not able to beat. City took total control as Foster completed his hat-trick with two goals in a minute, both assisted by Mark Wells. Firstly it was Wells' corner to the front post which was met by Foster's flick on, then his shot fell to Foster who poked the ball past the keeper and just over the line. Foster almost got his 4th in the last minute of the half. Morgan's free kick was punched clear and Foster's 20 yarder was cleared off the line.
Petersfield gave themselves a lifeline in the 51st minute, when Wray's effort was deflected past Harvey. Whilst Foster had a shot that hit the bar after 57 minutes, the red and black of Petersfield were the dominant force but when Alderman replaced Riddell after 65 minutes, City quickly regained control. On 67, Burt's clearance felll to Butcher only 20 yards out but he dragged his shot wide. A minute later, though the game was over as a contest when Smith's corner was met by the unmarked Palmer who powered his header into the top corner.
Morgan was cautioned for a foul on 69 minutes, and shortly after was replaced by Elliot Goater. Another mis-kick from the goalkeeper gifted City their fifth. Mark Wells was the happy recipient, shifting the ball onto his right and into the bottom left corner. Into the final quarter of an hour, and the goal of the game arrived. The ball fell to Matt Palmer, and from 25 yards he volleyed an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner.
City's Danny Robinson made his final substitution with Dan Hancock replacing the excellent Tom Butcher before two goals in injury time sealed an impressive performance. For the seventh, the ball hit Wells on the head and went in, before the same player slid the ball to Keith Alderman for him to slide it beyond Burt.
Manager Robinson was delighted with his side's efforts and their general performance. There was good ball retention and when chances were created they were dispatched. City now look forward with relish to taking on the all conquering VT side on Saturday in what should be a humdinger of a tie.
City: Harvey, Burke, Smith, Morgan (Goater 71), Dean Lavelle, Wright, Palmer, Foster, Riddell (Alderman 65), Butcher (Hancock 77), Wells. Unused Subs: Mark Lavelle, Steve Howard.
