Follands (1 - 1 ) Winchester City
For the neutral the game at Follands Park on Tuesday 28th October 2014 was exciting, three players sent off and one carried off, but for City supporters it was very frustrating. Follands' tactics were disappointing, they modified the long ball game into a high level bombing attack with almost every ball lobbed high into the City penalty box. Winchester played all the football but neither side could establish a clear lead.
City made the first move with Zak Glasspool having a shot saved by the 'keeper Ryan Gosney's legs in the first minute. Geoff Dunn then got in on the act and sent a long-range shot just wide.
As Follands got their bombing raids going the game was negated as City spent their time booting the crosses away and were unable to play their usual passing game. Both teams were frustrated and the referee had to deal with a number of fouls, mostly by the home side.
A penetrating midfield run by Chris Mason saw him slice his shot just wide and Adam Tomasso shot straight at the 'keeper as City looked the more likely to score.
Early in the second half Manager Paul Masters made a tactical change with Ben Stanbrook replacing Tomasso and just after the change Follands took the lead! City failed to defend a free kick and Jaimie Barron shot home through a packed penalty box (51st minute).
City were not making much headway at this point and on the hour Mike McEnery replaced Adam Roberts and in the 64th minute Warren Bentley replaced Dunn. This was either an inspired change or the Manager got lucky. Bentley's first touch of the ball was to head the equaliser!
The goal spured Follands into more attacks and their aggressive attitude lead to Callum Brockway being sent off. In their next attack Joe Wright was the last City man left standing when he lunged at a Follands player and he too was sent off.
No sooner had City reorganised their format to accommodate the nine outfield players they lost Stanbrook who fell awkwardly and injured his back. He was stretchered off and subsequently treated by paramedics and an ambulance crew.
The drama did not end there however, Follands James Roden was given his marching orders in injury time when he petulantly kicked the ball away after the Referee's whistle.
Right at the death McEnemy nearly snatched the winner for City when he headed a free kick deep in the box but unfortunately the ball missed the target.
CITY: Ross Casey, Ryan Holloway, Joe Wright, Stuart Green, Adam Tomasso, Luke Dempsey, Adam Roberts, Chris Mason, Zach Glasspool, Geoff Dunn, Dominic Cope, Chris Manning, Mike McEnery, Ben Stanbrook, Liam Green and Warren Bentley.
