Winchester City 1 - OCFC 1

City’s first visit to Winchester saw a closely-fought game with the away team having more of the clear-cut chances, and greater sharpness in the area could have brought three points rather than the one. Still, we remain unbeaten and laying good foundations for the rest of the season.
The Blues started the quicker and had had two corners in the first five minutes. Winchester had the first shot on target, though, from Ian Mancey who then had to leave for hospital with a suspected broken jaw after a mid-field collision.The home side were having a good period of play and both Biggs and Musselwhite brought good saves from Carl Wilkins.

The Blues were breaking quickly and Anthony Alleyne headed against the bar in the 24th minute (photo) and then, a minute later, was quickest onto a through ball and shot, fairly gently, under the advancing Hook. Webber brought another good save from Wilkins and, at the other end, Mark Avery blasted over from a corner and Danny Keen headed just the wrong side of the near-post from a long throw from Durrant. Just as it looked as though Oxford would go in at the break with the lead Lloyd Webber took advantage of a retreating defence and hit a thunderous shot from well outside the area that flew into the back of the net past an unsighted Wilkins.

Even then the visitors nearly restored their lead when a hard-driven cross from Mark Jones was met by the knee of the lunging Wakefield and flew tantalisingly just the wrong side of the post.

Half Time Winchester City 1-1 Oxford City

The second half saw fewer clear-cut chances and it looked for most of the time as though another goal would be the winner. For Oxford a Mark Jones free-kick brought a great save from Hook and Winchester went straight to the other end for Warren to draw an equally good stop from Wilkins. Adam Durrant shot over for the Blues; Webber tried a repeat of his first-half pile-driver and Winchester’s Mark Jones headed just wide.

With time rapidly running out, the home side had the best chance to wrap up the game when a good run and cross from Davis just eluded the lunging boots.

Full Time Winchester City 1-1 Oxford City

City: Wilkins, Durrant, G. Williams, Avery, Craker, Marriott, Jones, Merritt, Alleyne (Burnley 77), Keen (Stewart 77), R. Williams (Brandon 80).

A very sound performance in many respects: the new players are settling in well, and there is certainly strength in depth at present with plenty of competition for places.
Didcot bounced back from their midweek defeat to score a resounding win today, setting up what promises to be a keenly fought local derby on Monday: this should certainly draw one of City’s biggest gates for some time.

Reporter: ChrisB