Goals galore as City march on in league and cup

Winchester City 3, Gosport Borough Athletic 2 (aet)

Report by Ian Henderson

WINCHESTER City stormed into the quarter finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a battling extra time win against Gosport Borough at Abbotts Barton on Tuesday night.

The success against Jewson Wessex League opponents followed a crushing 10-nil Hampshire League demolition of Lymington Town just three days earlier.

All-conquering City face another JWL side tomorrow (Saturday 7th) when they travel to Brockenhurst in the third round of the FA Vase.

And who's to say they can't win at Grigg Lane too after coming from behind twice to beat a competitive Gosport side?

City had the better of the opening half hour but weren't able to produce a goal. Michael Jackson and Danny Smith both saw headers go narrowly wide, but keeper Mark Brown was rarely troubled.

It was Gosport who took a shock lead on 36 minutes after Lloyd Webber was harshly penalised for a foul. Perry Holland's inswinging free kick was firmly headed in by defender Ian Rew, giving keeper Darren Crowfoot no chance.

City still looked the better side and levelled the scores 13 minutes after the restart. The impressive Kevin Brewster, playing as a wing back, crossed from the right and top scorer Andrew Forbes was on hand to slide the ball in at the near post.

The same player later sent a header against the post as the home side applied pressure, but Gosport regained the lead with 14 minutes remaining. This time, Holland's 25 yard low free kick eluded everyone and went inside the far post.

City manager John Robson sent on striker Ian Mancey to replace Jackson and the newcomer was involved immediately in the equaliser.

He headed Matt Bicknell's free kick against the post and the ball rebounded kindly for Forbes to head home his second of the night from close range.

Mancey then had a header brilliantly turned over by Mark Brown to take the game into extra time.

City's pressure continued, but a penalty shootout looked likely until Danny Smith scored the winner eight minutes from the end.

Again, Mancey created the opening with a sharp run and through ball which the home skipper gleefully knocked past Brown.

Delighted manager Robson commented: "This was a great win against a good Wessex League side.

"The boys have yet again shown what they can do and it gives us a terrific boost ahead of the Brockenhurst game."

City suffered no serious injuries and Robson is set to name an unchanged squad for the Vase game.

City: Crowfoot; Brewster, Goss, Lang, Beeks, Bicknell; Webber, Smith, Green (Taylor 112); Jackson (sub Mancey 78), Forbes.

l The draw for the quarter finals of the Senior Cup takes place on Monday (9th).

City 10 Lymington Town 0

The City promotion bandwagon kept rolling last Saturday with this double-figure Premier Division mauling of Lymington Town.

The tally included hat-tricks for both Michael Jackson and Lloyd Webber and a debut goal for striker Ian Mancey.

Three ahead at the break, City ran riot in the second half and were aided by Lymington defender Malcolm Barry being sent off with the score at 6-nil.

Others to get on the scoresheet were Forbes (2) and Matt Bicknell, from the penalty spot.