Post by malcolm on Aug 5, 2023 22:35:59 GMT 1
Despite a valiant attempt by players, committee members and volunteers Winchester's home game with Walton and Hersham was called off early in the second half with Winchester 2-9 in the lead. Despite some heavy rain before the game the pitch was deemed playable at the start and the rain held off during the first half. However a heavy deluge at half time meant that although the referee decided to start the second half it soon became obvious that the surface water was making conditions very difficult for the players. He then ordered ca pause in proceedings for 15 minutes to try and clear some off this water. Winchester personnel who had also worked hard beforehand to get the game on gave support in abundance, but once the rain returned after staying off for several minutes any hope of getting the game completed vanished.
Winchester's starting line up contained three new faces from last season, with Jordan Rose a centre back who has played in the National League and played briefly for Eastleigh in the 2011/12 season when they experimented with youth, winger Trevor Caborn who join from Alton and former Basingstoke striker Conor Lynch. Winchester also named another new signing forward Tommy Wright who joined from Havant and Waterlooville on the bench.
Walton and Hershan arrived in this league by successive promotions, but they have had a good history. In 1972/723 they won the F A Amateur Cup in the second but last year of the competition and in the following season they beat a Brighton and Hove Albion managed by Brian Clough 4-0 away from home in the F A Cup. At the time of these successes they were managed by Allen Batsford who later took Wimbledon into the football league for the first time. Their current striker Eddie Simon came to National prominence when he hit four hat-tricks in a row.
Conditions at the start were slippery in places, but the first half was certainly a lively end to end affair. Pip Nolan made a great block to deny the prolific Simon early on and in the 11th minute he made his presence felt at the other end when he headed home a corner.
Both goalkeepers were tested with Philpott making good saves from Stefan Ilic, Joe Pratley-Jones and Jake Frailing, and Conor Lynch twice and Trevor Caborn testing Walton and Hersham goalkeeper Liam Allen.
Winchester however got the all important second goal in the 37th minute when a long throw was flicked on by Simba Mlambo for Warren Bentley to score and give Winchester a 2-0 interval lead, before the abandonment which ended proceedings for the day. Nevertheless those people in the club who worked hard to make the pitch playable should be proud of their efforts.
ON Saturday Winchester are at home to Sholing and on the following Tuesday they are away to Dorchester.
Winchester's starting line up contained three new faces from last season, with Jordan Rose a centre back who has played in the National League and played briefly for Eastleigh in the 2011/12 season when they experimented with youth, winger Trevor Caborn who join from Alton and former Basingstoke striker Conor Lynch. Winchester also named another new signing forward Tommy Wright who joined from Havant and Waterlooville on the bench.
Walton and Hershan arrived in this league by successive promotions, but they have had a good history. In 1972/723 they won the F A Amateur Cup in the second but last year of the competition and in the following season they beat a Brighton and Hove Albion managed by Brian Clough 4-0 away from home in the F A Cup. At the time of these successes they were managed by Allen Batsford who later took Wimbledon into the football league for the first time. Their current striker Eddie Simon came to National prominence when he hit four hat-tricks in a row.
Conditions at the start were slippery in places, but the first half was certainly a lively end to end affair. Pip Nolan made a great block to deny the prolific Simon early on and in the 11th minute he made his presence felt at the other end when he headed home a corner.
Both goalkeepers were tested with Philpott making good saves from Stefan Ilic, Joe Pratley-Jones and Jake Frailing, and Conor Lynch twice and Trevor Caborn testing Walton and Hersham goalkeeper Liam Allen.
Winchester however got the all important second goal in the 37th minute when a long throw was flicked on by Simba Mlambo for Warren Bentley to score and give Winchester a 2-0 interval lead, before the abandonment which ended proceedings for the day. Nevertheless those people in the club who worked hard to make the pitch playable should be proud of their efforts.
ON Saturday Winchester are at home to Sholing and on the following Tuesday they are away to Dorchester.