Extra preparation paid off for Winchester in a 5-2 win over Old Cranleighans that has started to put daylight between them and the bottom four in the Hants/Surrey Regional League.

"An additional whiteboard session on Thursday night was enough to tactically bolster the already motivated squad," said Winchester supremo Jon Player.

Winchester dominated from the start.

After only six minutes Chris Ralph won the ball on the left of defence and picked a reverse stick pass to Rob Craddock.

His rapid run drew in both defence and goalkeeper before he slipped the ball square for Stuart Swift to score.

Old Cranleighans levelled two minutes before half-time, giving Winchester an anxious interval period to regroup.

But they were soon back in front - Nick Morris winning a tackle in his own defensive area and releasing Mark Dobbie. He set up Andy Winnett, whose pass enabled Andy Walsh to make it 2-1.

Winchester had to wait 20 more minutes before they killed off the Surrey side with a three-goal salvo.

Scott made it 3-1, Craddock got the fourth and Alex Bennett - back after knee surgery - completed the scoring.

Old Cranleighans grabbed a second late on, but it was Winchester who celebrated a fifth successive game unbeaten.