Post by malcolm on Nov 15, 2023 22:43:55 GMT 1
ith 20 minutes to go Winchester were trailing Hungerford 2-0 at Bulpit Lane, but they then bought on former Hungerford players Conor Lynch and Warren Bentley to replace Simba Mlambo and Dan Jones and the move quickly paid dividends with both substitutes scoring within seen minutes of coming on, Firstly Lynch scored with a low shot from the edge of the area and then Bentley headed home a free kick from close range. Winchester once again showed showed great fighting spirit and they could have almost won the game in the latter stages with Mark Jamison having an effort cleared off the line and Tommy Wright also going close.
Interestingly enough the Hungerford manager Danny Robinson is a former Winchester manager and he also managed Alresford 10 years ago when th4e prolific scoring of Bentley helped them win six cups in two years including the Hampshire Senior Cup, before joining Winchester who had just returned to the Southern League. Lynch previously played for Robinson at Hungerford.
Although the two club had met in cup competitions since then including this season's F A Trophy, the vonly previous league games between the clubs took part in 2012/13 when the league game at Hungerford was also drawn.
The result moved Winchester into the top half of the table above Sholing and Hendon. Hungerford who are one of the teams that Winchester could catch if they won their games in hand and they went into this match having won four and drawn two of their last six league and cup games and play Truro in the F A trophy on Saturday
For their trip to Hungerford Winchester made one change t the starting line-up from Saturday -with Pip Nolan replacing Ollie Griggs and Griggs replacing I K Hill on the bench with positional switches in light of the changes.
Before the match a minute's silence was observed in memory of Bob Ponsford a Hungerford stalwart who plated for the club during the 1960's and 1970's making over 500 appearances for the club.
In a first half which included the referee being substituted due to injury Hungerford took the lead right at the end of when Abdul Sambu set up Brad Hooper to score. Up to that point Elis Watts for Hungerford had the best chance of the half, but he shot over when well placed. However neither goalkeeper was called into action very often in the first half.
Although Josh McCormick made an excellent goal line clearance to prevent a second goal, early in the second half Hungerford did score a second when Conor McDonagh got on the score sheet against Winchester for the fit successive match he has played against them. After going two goals down to a good team it was never going to be easy for Winchester to get back in the contest, but with inspired substitutions they were able to do so.
It is fair to say that even before their two goals went in Winchester were giving a much better account of themselves in the second half with Tommy Wright forcing successive good saves from debutant goalkeeper Rob Brown who was replacing the experienced Ryan Clarke who was ruled out with injury. Ollie Balmer also forced a further save from Brown, Jamison also came close, although Luke Cairney was also called into action in the second half to keep Winchester in the game.
After the great fight back f the previous evening Winchester received further good news when their stadium development plans were approved by the City Council.
Interestingly enough the Hungerford manager Danny Robinson is a former Winchester manager and he also managed Alresford 10 years ago when th4e prolific scoring of Bentley helped them win six cups in two years including the Hampshire Senior Cup, before joining Winchester who had just returned to the Southern League. Lynch previously played for Robinson at Hungerford.
Although the two club had met in cup competitions since then including this season's F A Trophy, the vonly previous league games between the clubs took part in 2012/13 when the league game at Hungerford was also drawn.
The result moved Winchester into the top half of the table above Sholing and Hendon. Hungerford who are one of the teams that Winchester could catch if they won their games in hand and they went into this match having won four and drawn two of their last six league and cup games and play Truro in the F A trophy on Saturday
For their trip to Hungerford Winchester made one change t the starting line-up from Saturday -with Pip Nolan replacing Ollie Griggs and Griggs replacing I K Hill on the bench with positional switches in light of the changes.
Before the match a minute's silence was observed in memory of Bob Ponsford a Hungerford stalwart who plated for the club during the 1960's and 1970's making over 500 appearances for the club.
In a first half which included the referee being substituted due to injury Hungerford took the lead right at the end of when Abdul Sambu set up Brad Hooper to score. Up to that point Elis Watts for Hungerford had the best chance of the half, but he shot over when well placed. However neither goalkeeper was called into action very often in the first half.
Although Josh McCormick made an excellent goal line clearance to prevent a second goal, early in the second half Hungerford did score a second when Conor McDonagh got on the score sheet against Winchester for the fit successive match he has played against them. After going two goals down to a good team it was never going to be easy for Winchester to get back in the contest, but with inspired substitutions they were able to do so.
It is fair to say that even before their two goals went in Winchester were giving a much better account of themselves in the second half with Tommy Wright forcing successive good saves from debutant goalkeeper Rob Brown who was replacing the experienced Ryan Clarke who was ruled out with injury. Ollie Balmer also forced a further save from Brown, Jamison also came close, although Luke Cairney was also called into action in the second half to keep Winchester in the game.
After the great fight back f the previous evening Winchester received further good news when their stadium development plans were approved by the City Council.