City gain reward for another long trip as Vase run continues

Mossley 1, Winchester City 2

WINCHESTER City produced a good all round round team performance to book their place in the last 16 of the FA Challenge Vase competition against the leaders of the North West Counties League last Saturday.

A brace from prolific striker Andy Forbes secured the victory for City, who will now play at Norfolk outfit Wroxham on February 7th.

Forbes headed the winner in typical fashion with just 13 minutes remaining, after City had been pegged back by an unlikely equaliser.

On a bitterly cold afternoon on the edge of the moors near Oldham, the visitors dominated throughout and were good value for the victory that sent their hundred-strong contingent of fans home happy.

As early as the second minute Winchester were on the attack, with Ian Mancey forcing a good save from Mossley keeper Jean Paul Ndjebayi, who had an afternoon to forget.

City dominated proceedings throughout the first half and they passed the ball with much more precision than the home side, who played into City's hands by resorting to hopeful punts forward.

Mossley striker Leon Mike, who scored for Aberdeen last season against 'Old Firm' giants Rangers, was being kept extremely quiet by veteran City centre-back Mark Blake, who put in an exemplary performance.

Both Dave Goss and Lloyd Webber missed decent chances for the visitors, who continued to dominate before a superb Blake pass put Andy Forbes clean through on 43 minutes. Astonishingly, however, Forbes put his shot just wide of the far post as City once again failed to turn their dominance into a lead.

This changed on the stroke of half time when City finally scored. Forbes inevitably got the goal with a header from six yards that went in off the post after a superb Shaun Dyke cross.

Gary Green replaced the injured Matt Bicknell shortly after the interval and within a minute he should have doubled City's lead when he missed from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.

By failing to convert so many opportunities City had given Mossley a punchers chance of restoring parity and with 17 minutes remaining they did just that. Sloppy defending allowed Alan Bailey to score from close range after good work from Leon Mike.

The goal was particularly harsh on keeper Simon Arthur, who was excellent in the City goal, claiming every cross with a confidence that belied his youth and limited experience.

With time running out, City needed to respond and on 77 minutes they did just that by scoring a deserved winner. Shaun Dyke won a free-kick about 30 yards out on the far right and when Liam Green swung it in Forbes rose highest to beat the Mossley keeper to a ball he really should have claimed.

Forbes directed his header into the net for his 54th goal of the season, and City fans were at last able to celebrate victory in their most important game of the campaign so far.

City: Arthur, Dyke, Bicknell (G Green 47), Redwood, Goss, Blake, Webber, Smith, Mancey (Tate 89), Forbes (Rodgers 86), L Green. Subs not used: Brewster, Rastall.

Success in Russell Cotes Cup

Brockenhurst 1 Winchester City 3

You would have excused City for being below par at Brockenhurst on Tuesday night following their weekend exploits.

But such is the strength of the squad at the moment that only three players who appeared on Saturday made the starting line-up as they reached the semi finals of the Russell Cotes Cup for the second successive season.

There may have been more changes but Kieron Hall, Michael Dean and Stuart Hussey were all injured and unable to play.

It took City time to settle, though, as Brockenhurst started well. Mark Blake's wayward clearance gave them a chance in the ninth minute, but Steve Jenkins' shot nipped away off the foot of the post.

City grew stronger as the half progressed, with veteran Gary Green a colossus in the middle of the park. They went ahead after 32 minutes when Danny Smith received a throw in from Steve Waite and cut inside a group of defenders before sending a low shot through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

Five minutes before the interval City scored a second goal. This time Smith was the instigator, lofting a ball into the box where Steve Waite outjumped everyone to head home.

The result from then on was settled. City held the upper hand, stifling any hard work that Brockenhurst produced. They waited until the 66th minute before adding to the score, a superb strike from Kevin Brewster from twenty-five yards giving keeper Iain Brunnschweiler no chance.

City introduced coach Steve Moss for the last four minutes, the 35 year old making his playing debut for the club - and almost scored with his first touch. But Brock had the final say with a consolation goal in the last minute. Two of their substitutes were involved, Dominic Taylor playing the ball in for Danny Neville to shoot past Ollie Rastall at the near post.

The draw for the semi finals has yet to be made, the match to be played in the week commencing March 15th.

City: Rastall, Waite, Batchelor, Lang, Goss, Blake, Smith, G Green (Moss 86), Rogers, Tate, Brewster . Unused subs: Webber, Arthur, L Green, Hall.

The team returns to Sydenhams Wessex League action tomorrow (24th) with a home game against Fareham Town. Next Tuesday (27th) they're at home again, this time to title rivals Gosport Borough.