Hungerford Town 0 - 2 Winchester City
City travelled to the War Memorial Gound, Hungerford on Monday 25th January 2016 as underdogs to face Premier Division Hungerford Town in the Red Insurance Southern League Cup.
Manager Paul Masters took the cup tie give a debut to new signing Nick Awford and to switch the formation about to compensate for the non-availability of Zach Glasspool, with Jamie Barron taking his number 9 shirt. As a result Warren Bentley was asked to play as the lone striker making runs from the flanks as well as in the centre.
It took the whole of the first half for City to settle and as a consequence they were under pressure from the off. Goalkeeper, Brendan Norris made at least three class saves in the half and Leigh Mills was a tower of strength at the back throughout the game winning almost every header put into the box.
City's first chance of the game fell to Taz Roberts whose shot was just wide of the far post as was a shot from Bentley after he controlled the ball well in the box.
As the pressure from Hungerford continued Jake Newton and Danny King were penned deep in their own half but defended well.
Just as City seemed to be finding form Awford, suffering from lack of match fitness, was replaced by Adam Tomasso in the 25th minute. He added more bite to the midfield which allowed Roberts and Matt Benham to exploit the space down the wings. Benham created an opening but his pass found no takers in the box and Roberts had a good shot well saved.
Towards half time Jamie Barron, Jamie Thoroughgood and Micky Hubbard began to dominate the midfield as Hungerford were pushed back.
Newton hobbled off at half time to be replaced by Harrison Fay as City got their passing game going and began to bother the Hungerford defence.
Bentley sent Hubbard away and his cross was headed by Benham and it looked like a goal until the 'keeper managed to get a hand to the ball for a fine save.
Barron set up the opening goal when he refused to be knocked off the ball in the box and managed to slip a pass to Bentley who scored from an oblique angle (64th minute).
City were now on top and Benham hit the side netting and Roberts forced the 'keeper into a save.
Rian Jima-Otereo came on for Roberts in the 80th minute after he tired on the heavy pitch after putting in a tremendous amount of work on the wing.
City sealed the tie in the 88th minute when Barron broke through and with sheer strength, retained the ball through three tackles to power home from close range.
Attendance 118.
City : Brendan Norris, Jake Newton, Danny King, Nick Awford, Leigh Mills, Jamie Thoroughgood, Adam Roberts, Micky Hubbard, Jamie Barron, Warren bentley, Matt Benham, Harrison Fay, Adam Tomasso and Rian Jima-Otero.
