City were missing two key players for their first-ever match against Bishop's Cleeve at home on Saturday. Skipper Dave Allen was out with a broken bone in his ankle and could be absent for up to eight weeks and Brett Williams was recovering from a head injury picked up against Gosport Borough.
City were wearing their new-look kit for the first time and made an early impression when Moussa Mamadou, playing a lone role at the front unselfishly crossed to Adam Kelly who was running in well only to see his shot go high and wide. Unfortunately this set the pattern for the first half in which City conceded two goals and had a dire time of it. The writing was on the wall in the first Bishop's Cleeve attack when the Villagers should have scored with an open goal in front of them but missed a golden opportunity. Clint Davies was soon called into action, however, and made a good save from the next attack.
The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when well delivered through-ball from Mike Davis was converted by Ben Gascoyne. A fine individual goal with the right foot from 18 yards out, the ball going under Davies' dive. City could have got back in the game when Adam George created an opening but he put too much weight on his pass and it flashed past Sam Lockyer. Mamadou had another chance to put City even but he fired over the bar. At the other end Davies made a save from a corner as the Villagers pressed.
A badly mistimed tackle by the usually dependable James Wilson let in Gareth Hopkins who beat Davies from the edge of the box in the 30th minute to put the Villagers two-up. As the half ended Richard Gregory put in a long range shot which was easily saved and City had a penalty appeal turned down. A miserable half.
Winchester had a much better second 45 minutes and created enough chances to win at least a point but lacked the killer instinct. Gregory forced the keeper into an early save and from the rebound Lockyer put in another shot which was also saved. Mamadau put on a solo run and was pulled down on the edge of the penalty area. Adam Lang's free kick was blocked and he powered the rebound wide. Adam Kelly worked hard to create a chance and his shot was close but not close enough.
Manager Andy Leader threw all his eggs into one basket by bringing on his three substitutes with a quarter of an hour to go. Lang, Kelly and Adam Gray made way for James Eyles, Carl Foster and Kyle Joryeff. They certainly livened play up and created several chances causing panic in the Villager's defence. Joryeff in particular looked sharp weaving into the box and right at the death Manadou hit the side netting but City could not find the goal they desperately needed.
City; Clint Davies, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Adam George, Matt Bowler, Steve Llewelyn, Adam Kelly, Adam Gray, Moussa Mamadau, Richard Gregory, Sam Lockyer, Substitutes Joe Wright, James Eyles (75th), Kyle Joryeff (75th), Carl Foster (75th) and Andrew Smallpiece.
