City starting to hit the heights

Winchester City 5, Wimborne Town 0

CITY sounded a warning to the clubs hoping to claim their Wessex crown with a comprehensive victory over Wimborne - who are habitually among the title contenders themselves.

Both sides had injury worries. City were without Toby Redwood, Adam Rogers and Kevin Brewster, flu-ridden Kieron Hall and the unavailable Lloyd Webber. That meant a place on the bench for former youth team midfield player Eddie Whitehouse and ex-BTC striker Paul Burnett.

Wimborne leading scorer Gareth Barnes was sidelined by a midweek injury, while Gary Clark played the first 45 minutes with a broken toe.

Wimborne's injury problems increased when in the 35th minute their experienced keeper Stewart Kearn had to be led away with a cut to the face that needed hospital attention.

That made little difference to the outcome, though; by then, City were already four goals to the good. Wimborne defender Paul Roast took over the keeper's shirt.

City were two goals ahead inside the first twelve minutes. The first came after just 80 seconds, Ian Buckman's deflected shot beating Kearn. Jamie Musselwhite then had a 'goal' ruled out for offside, but on 11 minutes Liam Green's corner was helped on by Mark Jones and a David Goss header made it 2-nil.

A third City goal arrived on 23 minutes when Mark Blake's free kick found the late-arriving Mark Jones, who coolly turned and slipped the ball past Kearn for his first goal for City.

Former City man Stuart Cooper produced some good crosses from the left flank for the visitors and Arron Reid headed wide before City added their fourth goal on 34 minutes. Matt Bicknell's left wing cross fell to Musselwhite, who thundered home his sixth goal in six games.

But Kearn's unfortunate departure took the zest out of not only City's display but also the match.

There was just one goal in the second half; Green's corner was dropped by Roast, and Mark Smith shot the ball home from the edge of the box.

City: Arthur, Dyke, Bicknell, Jones, Goss, Blake (Whitehouse 82), Smith, Buckman, Mancey (Laidlaw 75), Musselwhite (Burnett 75), L Green.

Winchester City 8, Bournemouth 0

Winchester helped visitors Poppies by lending them a set of shorts and socks on Wednesday evening as the Bournemouth side arrived at the Denplan City ground with colours matching City's.

But City's charity ended there, as they proceeded to score eight goals and to keep their fifth successive Wessex League clean sheet.

Jamie Musselwhite opened the scoring after only two minutes - the seventh consecutive match in which he has scored.

Strike partner Ian Mancey, Musselwhite and David Goss made it 4-nil at half-time.

Mancey and Liam Green - his first of the season - added further goals before Musselwhite completed his hat-trick.

Substitute Jamie Laidlaw completed the rout.

On Saturday City are away to Bemerton Heath Harlequins (3pm).

The reserves are away to Andover New Street (3pm) and on Tuesday, 5th October the first team are at home to Alton (7.45pm).

City have now agreed to entertain Hamworthy United on Saturday October 23rd as scheduled opponents AFC Newbury are involved in the FA Vase that day.