FA CUP. 

Third qualifying round.

Winchester City 3 Cirencester Town 0.

IT felt just like old times at Winchester City yesterday as Craig Davis’s class of 2018/19 moved a step closer to creating club history in the FA Cup.

The Citizens’ 3-0 victory over Cirencester Town eased them into the fourth qualifying round for the first time since the mid-1950s and they are now just one win away from the unchartered territory of the first round proper.

On an afternoon when Neil Hards, the man who famously led City to FA Vase glory in 2004, was in attendance, there was that same mood of magic in the air.

City's heroes were cheered all the way to the dressing room by an appreciative 302-strong crowd, many of whom stayed behind to celebrate in the bar afterwards.

Goals by Rob Carr and Simba Mlambo had put City in the driving seat before an oddly off-colour Cirencester had Michael Pook red-carded on 58 minutes for a wild challenge on twinkle-toed wideman Reece Rusher.

The ten men applied some late pressure, but it was Winchester who had the last word when sub Oli Bailey was brought down in the box and Joe Hayward jubilantly crowned victory from the spot in stoppage time.

The win earned City another £15,000 from the FA Prize Fund, adding to the £17,890 already in the pot.

For a club like Winchester, it's akin to winning the Lottery - and, fingers crossed, there will be an even bigger pay day to come.

“I’m overwhelmed,” smiled chuffed boss Davis. “It was a special performance on a special day.

“It’s been a tough week for us losing two club legends, Terry Bone and Tina Elkins.

“Terry used to say things like ‘one for all and all for one’ and ‘play for the badge’ and he’ll be smiling down on us after that!

“The rapport between the supporters and the team is incredible because the fans know what these players are giving.

"We’ve got a really good group of lads and to see the ground and the clubhouse rocking like they have today is something very special.

“We’ve had financial problems, but this cup run has made a monumental difference to us financially. It’s enabled us to retain some of the players and hopefully we can build on that now.”

Carr’s opening goal was a fairytale all of its own.

The pacy winger hadn’t played all season after getting married and starting up a new business, but he took just over two minutes to announce his return.

Rusher swung in a free-kick from the right, which keeper Matt Wieczorek failed miserably to deal with under pressure from City defender Josh Harfield, and Carr was there to score with his first touch of the campaign.

Having passed up one chance to double City’s advantage, Simba Mlambo got his finish spot on in the 22nd minute, sweeping the ball home after Tyrell Mitford had cleverly played him through.

Rusher and Mitford could have further cemented City’s first-half dominance before Ciren belatedly showed up with a couple of efforts from Ben Whitehead either side of the break.

But it was 67 minutes before Winchester keeper Ryan Pryce made his first save of note, getting two strong hands behind Whitehead’s blast, and he was to be tested only twice more, both times by sub Owen Windsor at his near post.

For once City goal machine Mitford did not make the scoresheet, but his trickery almost paid dividends on 80 minutes when, following some niftly footwork, his low drive from the right was so nearly turned in for an own goal.

The No10 made way for the fit-again Bailey a couple of minutes later and when the diminutive sub scampered through in stoppage time, he was sent sprawling for a penalty which Hayward confidently dispatched, sparking mass celebrations with fans behind the goal.

“We played with an intensity and maybe that comes from carrying the underdog tag we’ve had all season,” said Davis.

“We’ve quietly gone about our business, but there’s only so long you can stay quiet when you’re playing games like this!

“We expected Cirencester to play the way they did today. We’d worked on it in training and our game plan came off to a tee. I couldn’t be prouder of the lads.”

Looking forward to Monday lunchtime's draw, which brings the National League clubs into the competition, Davis said: “Anyone at home in the next round would give us a chance because we’re good here.

“Leyton Orient or Eastleigh would be nice, but we’re one game away from the first round proper so we’ll just enjoy it and see what comes out.”

Winchester City: Ryan Pryce, Joe Hayward, Danny King, Brad Gale, Sam Roberts, Josh Harfield, Reece Rusher (Brett Cunningham, 87), Joe Cook, Tyrell Mitford (Oli Bailey, 82), Simba Mlambo, Rob Carr (Liam Gilbert, 75). Subs (not used): Josh Tombs, Josh Corner, Harvey Clark, Craig Davis.

Referee: Tom Danaher.

Attendance: 302