Winchester drew their opening league match with newly promoted Marlow 1-1 in a game which contained two excellent goals, one at the end of each half. 

Marlow were promoted from the Isthmian league Division South Central Division as a result of finishing runners up to Chertsey Town who were also promoted into this division. 

Amongst their players are forward Dave Tarpey who once scored 44 goals in 41 league games to earn Maidenhead promotion to the top flight of National League football and become a target for higher league clubs.

This was the seventh league match between the clubs with Marlow the two clubs, who previously met in 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2015/16 with the previous six encounters producing four wins for Winchester and two for Marlow. Marlow were returning to this level after a 30 year absence. 

The Winchester starting line-up sees Callum Buckley assume the captaincy with new signings Luke Chalwell, Dan Bartlett and Alex Wilkie plus Kieran Douglas returning to the club also included.

Early on Tarpey for the home side headed just wide following a cross from Elijah Oladunjoye. At the other end Trevor Caborn had an off target effort and Kieran Douglas headed just wide following a free kick from Ollie Balmer, while for Marlow Brandon Curtis also shot narrowly wide.

Winchester's I K Hill was another to try his luck with a shot on goal, but his effort was again off target. Towards the end of an even first half Dan Bartlett had to go off injured after an awkward fall and he was replaced by Jamie Barron. Almost immediately Winchester took the lead when from the edge of the area Trevor Caborn scored with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area flew into the top corner.

Five minutes into the second half Caborn had another chance for Winchester, but his effort off target, while from a cross from Josh McCormick I K Hill just failed to get a decisive touch. Ollie Balmer and Luke Chalwell had efforts for Winchester that were saved by the home goalkeeper, and although Ben Mulley had an effort saved for Marlow one sensed that Winchester might pay for not taking their chances to extend their lead in the second half and those fears became reality when Josh Masters scored with a great shot from just outside the area.

In added on time Winchester's Ollie Griggs was sent off and at the end of the second half in which they had the more chances to score Winchester had to fight to salvage a point. In the second half Winchester bought on Dean Ashton, Dan King, Harry Nevins and Dan Jones and they respectively replaced Trevor Caborn, Ollie Balmer, I K Hill and Alex Wilkie.

On Sunday Winchester are at home to Gosport Borough. Winchester's home match with Dorchester Town originally scheduled for Bank Holiday Monday will now be played at Basingstoke's ground on Wednesday August 28.