Bemerton HH (1 - 0) Win City
BEMERTON HEATH HARLEQUINS 1 WINCHESTER CITY 0
City should have won the match at the Westwood Recreation Ground, Bemerton on Tuesday 23rd September 2014 in which they dominate play especially in the second half. Bemerton, however, had learnt their lesson from the 3-0 defeat City inflicted on them ten days previously and packed their defence which City failed to unlock despite creating many chances over the 90 minutes.
It was a good five minutes before Bemerton ventured in to the City half at the start of the match and it looked as if City were about to take an early lead when Geoff Dunn threaded the ball to Chris Mason but his shot was just wide.
As City pressed Leigh Mills put in a shot from a corner but was also wide.
Disaster struck in the 18th minute when Bemerton were awarded a penalty for a clumsy tackle and Jason Collins made a valiant effort to stop the spot kick to no avail.
Dunn put a header well wide from a throw in and Zach Glasspool broke through but ran into two defenders before he could shoot.
Despite being on the back-foot Bemerton created a good chance on a break which Collins did well to push away with his hand. Bemerton had another chance a few minutes later when Mills was penalised for a foul and he made a good save from the resultant free kick.
City made a substitution at half time with Warren Bentley replacing Dunn and this certainly gave the attack an edge and he soon forced the 'keeper into a save after he picked up a long ball Adam Roberts.
Winchester then built attack after attack but always ran in to a packed defence. Too often they tried a pass too many in the box and on one occasion passed the ball four times before Mason had his shot blocked. As the match progressed the City forwards and midfield became reluctant to have a shot and often lost the ball with mistimed passes.
Ben Stanbrook hit the top of the net and Bentley was brought down in the box but the Referee (who did not have a good game) did not even consider the appeal.
Stanbrook and Mason were replaced by Liam Green and Chris Manning ion the 70th minute but the changes had little effect.
Right at the death Manning had a good shot saved but at the whistle City had to accept defeat.
City: Jason Collins, Adam Tomasso, Joe Wright, Ben Stanbrook, Leigh Mills, Luke Dempsey, Adam Roberts, Chris Mason, Zach Glasspool, Geoff Dunn, Dominic Cope, Warren Bentley, Liam Green, Chris Manning and Ross Casey.
