Winchester City took the opportunity to blood many of their U18 Academy players in today's Hampshire Intermediate Cup match against Liss Athletic and for much of the match Winchester looked the better side.
The day started off damp but the pitch was in good condition and suited the Winchester style of play. Happy to play fast, attractive football on the deck Winchester grew in confidence with every touch of the ball. Andy Smallpiece used his voice to good effect to keep the young defenders in line! and they in turn provided a strong stable platform on which the midfield and attackers could build.
A number of defence splitting balls from the midfielders and penetrating runs from the Winchester front two had already set the alarm bells ringing for Liss before Winchester put together the move of the game. Connor brought the ball down on the edge of the Winchester penalty area and played a perfect pass to Zak on the left. A quick one two with Tom B set Zak free and he outpaced the Liss defender down the wing and squared the ball across the box for Tom B to side foot home.
Unfortunately within 2 minutes Liss were back level when WInchester failed to head clear a huge kick from the keeper and the Liss number 9 pounced to smack a shot from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net. This set back didn't dampen Winchester spirits and they continued to work hard for each other with Tyler coming close to winning back the lead with a crashing header that went just over the bar. Winchester were finally rewarded in the 39th minute when another excellent flowing move was thumped home by James. The light drizzle of the opening half an hour had by now turned in to a downpour and once again Winchester let Liss get back into the game. A quick Liss corner was only half cleared and fell to a Liss midfielder on the edge of the box. Winchester failed to close down and he curled the ball under Andy to make the score 2 - 2 which is the way it stayed till half time.
As the second half started the rain seemed to get even worse (if that was possible) but Winchester stuck to their guns, trying desperately to keep the passing game going, but the puddles and mud simply made it impossible. A curling shot from Zak tested the Liss keeper's reactions, a great pass by Karl and a strong run by Billy down the right set up Royce and the rebound fell to Tom R but Winchester couldn't find the net. That was the last action for Karl who limped off to be replaced by Ben at right back on 60 minutes.
Liss had adapted better to the awful conditions and had started pumping long, high balls into the box and in a crucial 15 minute spell Liss took total control of the game rattling in 4 goals and putting the game beyond doubt. Winchester inexperience had definitely contributed to their own downfall but to their credit Winchester kept battling and regained their composure and started to come back into the game. Royce had run his sox off up front and made way for Jack on 70 minutes and John made way for Adam as Winchester switched to a 3 - 5 - 2 formation.
With time running out Tom R grabbed a third for Winchester and both James and Zak had shots well saved by the Liss keeper but the score remained 6 - 3 to Liss.
City: Andy Smallpiece, Karl Littleboy (Ben Rowlatt 60), Tyler Wyeth, Connor McCarthy, John Krentz (Adam Saunders 77), Billy Cooper, Tom Butcher, James Delfin, Zaccarius, Tom Riddle, Royce Reed (Jack Norman 70). Unused Subs: Liam Richardson
