Winchester 1st XI 2, Oxford Hawks 2nd XI 1

A relatively meagre scoreline did not accurately represent what could have been a goal avalanche for both sides had it not been for some inspired goalkeeping, woodwork striking, desperate last-moment defending and fluffed near-open goal chances.

Winchester again had a hesitant start to the game with Hawks hitting the post in the first two minutes. Unsurprisingly, the emergent Will Leyland and Rory Jack looked very dangerous down the right flank, Jack forcing a good save as the home team tried to gain a possession foothold. However, Hawks were full of endeavour, putting intense pressure on any Winchester player with the ball and intercepting all but pinpoint passes. Young keeper Seb Eaton made two excellent saves, one, a tip over the bar, but he could do nothing about a Hawks penalty corner dragflick which whipped into the top corner to take a deserved lead. Hawks spurned a number of clear chances before the break, but Winchester were able to reach the sanctity of halftime still in touch.

A more improved version arrived in the second half with Jack diverting just over the bar at an early penalty corner. But he was on target three minutes later, reacting quickest to an initially saved penalty corner to bring the game level. Five minutes later and Winchester was ahead with Ben Hibberd slotting the ball low left at a corner to take a precious lead. It was now down to the defence to protect it and some excellent, if desperate, defending ensued with Adam Major intervening to pinch the ball from marauding forwards and then Matt Kenyon sliding full length to deny Hawks an open goal. Ultimately it was Eaton who was the hero with a string of fine saves (and, once again, the help of a post) as Hawks piled on the pressure.

Teddington 2,  Winchester Wanderers 1

Saturday saw the Wanderers travel to Teddington for their first fixture against this South London Conference side.  The Wanderers quickly settled into their now usual fast-passing game.  Sadly, a defensive lapse after 5 minutes saw the ball reach a Teddington player waiting on the far post for just such an eventuality.  A simple tap-in gave Teddington the lead.

The first half continued end-to-end.  Both defences stood strong and neither side was able to create many chances.  Teddington just had the better of the half – mainly through the work of their skilful 15-year-old midfielder, who created many problems for the Wanderers' defence.  Indeed, Colin Bulpett did well to contain this threat.
The second half saw Wanderers gradually increase the pressure.  The game moved more into the Teddington half but they were still dangerous on the break.  And it was a breakaway that gave them their second goal with a shot from the top of the D that went in just inside the post.  Wanderers maintained the pressure and gained their reward when Colin Bulpett’s shot from the top of the D went just inside the Teddington goal post.  The last 10 minutes was nearly all Wanderers but time ran out before they could equalise.