WINCHESTER City goal machine and captain Warren Bentley is ready to fulfil his dream of higher league football.

The prolific marksman –scorer of over 100 goals in just two seasons at the Denplan City Ground – has signed a two-year deal for Gosport Borough of the National League South.

It is second time lucky for Gosport boss Alex Pike, who first made a move for Bentley in October last year, but the 25-year-old opted to see out Winchester’s Southern One South & West campaign which ended in play-off semi-final defeat at Banbury.

Bentley was at Stamford Bridge yesterday picking up at National Game Award from The Non-League Paper in recognition of his prolific scoring achievements last season that netted him 57 goals in all competitions.

He topped the South & West scoring charts with 44 goals and, unsurprisingly, walked off with three big awards at Winchester’s presentation night – the manager’s player and players’ player-of-the-year, plus the golden boot.

Bentley, a PE teacher at the Sholing Technology College, attracted attention from several Football League clubs last season with Luton Town, Notts County and Dagenham & Redbridge keeping tabs on him.

Delighted Borough boss Alex Pike, who has already signed another ex-Winchester frontman Chris Flood from Basingstoke Town, said: “Warren is a terrific signing for us. His arrival is another reason why I am already excited about next season.”

Winchester chairman Paul Murray said: "We fully understand Warren's desire to play at a higher level and wish him every success with his new club.

"We are pleased to have played a part in his progression from the Wessex League to the Conference South, a rise of three leagues.

"We would like to thank Warren for all he has done for us whilst he has been with us.

"He has been an excellent captain and player and has been such a prolific scorer of goals that he has come to the notice of many clubs, non-League and League alike. We will all watch his progress with interest."