TOTTON & Eling and Fareham Town can rest assured that Winchester City will do everything in their power to win their last game of the Sydenhams Premier season at Christchurch on Saturday.

With the battle to avoid the two relegation spots still in the balance, second-placed Winchester intend going full strength for both the Christchurch game and tomorrow’s North Hants Senior Cup final against Whitchurch at Foxcotte Park.

“With the relegation battle as it is between Totton, Fareham and Christchurch, we will go into both games with our strongest possible side. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise,” said Winchester boss Paul Masters.

“To be honest, our lads are on such a good run that I don’t need to say anything to them about doing the job properly.

“They want to go to the end of the season unbeaten and they’ve got that mindset to do it right.”

City made it 12 league games unbeaten – 11 of them victories – with a 1-0 win at Horndean on Saturday.

The lumpy pitch made good football difficult, but Zach Glasspool settled matters with a looping first-half shot over the ’keeper.

The league’s leading marksman Warren Bentley had a penalty appeal down after the break and put a close-range shot over when he’d looked a certainty to score.

“No disrespect to Horndean but the pitch was bobbly, it was windy and it wasn’t ideal for us to play football,”

said Masters.

“But we did quite well and it’s good that we’re at that stage now where we don’t have to be at our best to win games.”

With both Chris Mason and Adam ‘Taz’ Roberts due back from suspension, Winchester’s only doubt for the North Hants final is defender Adam Tomasso (knee).

Looking forward to the game, Masters said: “Whitchurch beat us 3-1 at their place earlier this year and it all changed for us (for the better) after that. We owe them one.

“But credit where credit’s due, Whitchurch have done really well this season.”

Carl Bennett’s Jam Boys are assured a top-eight finish – despite losing 2-1 at home to AFC Portchester on Saturday.

Danny Phillips gave Whitchurch a first-half lead which was quickly wiped out by Josh Warren from Joe Bye’s corner.

It remained that way until late on when Joe Noakes powered down the left and cut the ball back for Jack Salter-Vaile to hammer home the Royals’ winner.