Lymington (0 - 3) Win City
City underlined their promotion ambitions with a workmanlike 3-0 victory over Lymington Town on Tuesday 9th September 2014 which took them several places up the league table.
After the first ten minutes when Lymington had the majority of the play it was evident that there would only be one winner of the match as City got into their stride. All sections of the team worked well, the defence was dominant, the midfield won most of the balls and the attack created numerous chances and converted three.
Early strikes from Warren Bentley and Zack Glasspool were off target as Chris Mason, Luke Dempsey and Stuart Green began to create the chances. A superb interplay between Bentley and Glasspool resulted in the latter slamming a spectacular diving header against the Lymington bar.
City did not have it all their own way, however and 'keeper Jason Collins, pulled off a good save to foil a breakthrough by James Davis allowing Dempsey to clear.
City went ahead in the 21st minute when Green slipped the ball to Bentley who put it away with style.
City went further ahead through a stroke of luck when a clearance was diverted into Bentley's path by a Lymington defender and the number 10 took his time to steady himself, take a touch and hit a shot past the 'keeper (35th minute).
It looked as Lymington were going to pull one back at the start of the second half but luckily the shot broke the side netting. The match was delayed while the net was repaired.
Mike McEnery put a header just wide as Winchester got back on to the attack. Leigh Mills backed by Adam Tomaso and Joe Wright, had the back sealed up as Green, Dempsey and Mason roamed the midfield connecting well with the flank runs of McEnery and Liam Green.
Glasspool, who had a tremendous hard working game without the reward of a goal, was given a rest in the 70th minute when replaced by Chris Manning and four minutes later Liam Green was substituted by Ryan Holloway.
It was Holloway who created the third goal with a cross which Mason hit first time into the net through a crowd of players (75th).
Bentley came off in the 82nd minute to be replaced by Geoff Dunn as the City managers sought to reduce the risk of their strikers picking up a knock and missing Saturday's FA cup tie.
Lymington nearly scored right on time when a long-range shot deceived the City 'keeper, but rattled the crossbar and rebounded away.
City: Jason Collins, Adam Tomaso, Joe Wright, Stuart Green, Leigh Mills, Luke Dempsey, Mike McEnery, Chris Mason, Zack Glasspool, Warren Bentley, Liam Green, Dominic Cope, Geoff Dunn, Chris Manning, Ben Stanbrook and Ryan Holloway.
