Match One

Christchurch Ladies 3 – 0 Winchester City Women

The start of the season brought bad luck for the City first team as they travelled down to Christchurch. Missing some influential players, City started off well against Christchurch with both teams being equally matched. However, the turning point of the game occurred in only the twentieth minute of the game when Emily McInnus was forced off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury after a superb block from a corner. Jayne Foat came on to replace McInnes but the change in personnel as well as the distractions from the sidelines as the paramedics tended to McInnes affected the concentration of the City players. Christchurch seized on this and were soon two goals ahead despite some excellent keeping from Lee Thubron. City were soon back challenging Christchurch and were enjoying some good possession but lacked the accuracy and the luck in the final third. City’s luck was summed up at the beginning of the second half when influential striker Holly Parton was forced off with a rib injury. Despite these setbacks, City continued to battle hard and were constantly pressing Christchurch further back without really challenging the keeper. However, a quick break away gave Christchurch their third goal when a miss-hit shot deceived Thubron and crept in a t the far post midway through the second half. Christchurch were content to protect their lead leaving City unable to find a way through a stubborn rearguard but there were positives to take from this performance.

Team:- L. Thubron; V. Horner, S. Hagger, E. McInnes (J. Foat, 20), L. McLaughlan; S. Lewis, H. Barker, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; A. Maidment, H. Parton (C. Mansell, 55).

 Match Two

Winchester City Women 5 – 2 Fleet Town Women

After last weeks disastrous opening day 3-0 defeat away at Christchurch, City were looking to bounce back and get their first points on the board. However, things did not start according to plan and, despite an Aimee Maidment shot cannoning back off the crossbar, City fell behind after failing to clear a corner. This proved to be the wake up call that City needed and within five minutes had scored the equaliser. Maidment’s run into the box was illegally stopped by a desperate lunge from a Fleet defender, Holly Parton coolly slotting home the resulting penalty. City only had to wait another five minutes to take the lead. A corner was flicked on by Bex Cleary and Sarah Gilbert set up Parton for her and City’s second. The remainder of the first half was all City pressure but Parton, Gilbert, Cleary and Clare Mansell all failed to beat the Fleet keeper. The second half began as the first had ended with constant City pressure. Substitute Cathy MacDonald set up Parton for her hat trick goal before scoring herself direct from a free kick near the corner flag. City were now comfortably in the lead and were playing impressive one touch football, setting up numerous chances but failing to convert until Gilbert scored with a powerful finish on 75 minutes. City continued to dominate proceedings and constantly troubled an overworked Fleet defence. However, City relaxed too much before the final whistle and Fleet’s only real attack of the second half resulted in a contentious penalty being conceded by Sorcha Hagger, despite claims by both sides that the tackle was fair. Lee Thubron managed to get a good hand to the resulting kick but was unable to keep it out. Ultimately it proved to be a consolation goal for Fleet after City’s best team performance in a long time.   

Team: L. Thubron; S. Lewis, S. Hagger, J. Foat (L. McLaughlan, 70), G. Ryan; A. Maidment, B. Cleary, A. Cooper (C. MacDonald, 50), C. Mansell; S. Gilbert, H. Parton

Match Three

Horndean Ladies 0 – 2 Winchester City Ladies

Winchester travelled to Horndean after last week’s impressive performance in the knowledge that they had not managed a win against the home side for ten years. The first 25 minutes were dominated by City who were looking by far the stronger side and consistently troubling the Horndean defence but failed to convert any chances. City appeared to run out of steam and ideas towards the end of the half and allowed Horndean back into the match but both teams were comfortably cancelling each other out. The Winchester defence looked solid with Sorcha Hagger particularly impressive, clearing up any balls over the top before any of the onrushing attackers could latch onto them.

The second half started better for City and Bex Cleary helped to dominate the middle of the pitch with an industrious midfield display to give City the advantage they needed. City were coming ever closer to breaking the deadlock and it was only due to the agility of the Horndean keeper that the scores stayed level as she saved well from shots from Holly Parton and Cleary in quick succession. However, from the ensuing Cathy MacDonald corner, Cleary headed powerfully towards goal and, despite a combination of keeper and defenders desperately hacking at the ball, Clair Mansell forced in the rebound in the 60^th minute. The goal was what City’s determined play deserved and it was not long before Martina O’Flynn fed Parton who evaded one challenge before threading a perfect ball through to Gemma Ryan to force home. Horndean now pushed strongly for a goal to put pressure on City’s lead but were unable to find a way through. The home side had strong claims for a penalty turned away after Laura McLaughlan appeared to handball in the box in an otherwise faultless defensive display. However, City kept their shape and composure to comfortably see out the rest of the game to record a rare victory over their hosts. 

Team: L. Thubron; S. Lewis, J. Foat, S. Hagger, L. McLaughlan; A. Maidment, C. MacDonald (M. O’Flynn, 63), B. Cleary, C. Mansell (G. Ryan, 63), H. Barker, H. Parton

 Match Four

Fleet Town Women 1 – 6 Winchester City Women

Winchester City Women travelled to Fleet with a strong squad and the intention of continuing their early season good form. City were quick out of the blocks and were three goals in front within the first ten minutes. Gemma Ryan latched onto a through ball in the third minute from Cathy MacDonald before coolly slotting home past the on-rushing keeper. Ryan then set up a chance for Sara Gilbert to drill the ball home before adding her own second in only the ninth minute. However, City’s strong start was not a sign of things to come and Winchester’s play became fragmented with good one touch football interspersed with major lapses in concentration. The impetus that City had gathered was further dented when Laura McLaughlan was forced off with a hamstring injury and Ryan was pushed back into defence. This moving backwards in position did not stop player of the match Ryan completing her hat trick in the 40^th minute after a fine individual run. Fleet, to their credit, never gave up and pulled a goal back after a defensive mix-up in the 40^th minute, caused by team complacency and lack of communication, which allowed a Fleet striker to finish into an unguarded net. Fleet continued to press in the second half and City were not able to play the kind of passing football that has become indicative of them of late, lacking both the concentration and the space by the hardworking Fleet side. The introduction of the lively Emily McInnes added the extra enthusiasm the City so dearly needed. It was from a McInnes enforced corner that allowed Cathy MacDonald to cross into the box for Bex Cleary to head home in the 80^th minute. The scoring was completed in the 85^th minute when Gilbert scored her second and City’s sixth after a Hannah Barker pass had split the defence. This was City’s best scoreline of the season but left most of the player disappointed with and the team’s and their performance after failing to achieve the now anticipated high standards.

 Team:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis (V. Horner, 70), S. Hagger, J. Foat, L. McLaughlan (C. Mansell, 30); A. Maidment (E. McInnes, 70), C. MacDonald, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; S. Gilbert, H. Barker    

 Match Five

 Red Star Ladies 4 – 3 Winchester City Women

 Winchester City Women travelled to their oldest and closest rivals for their latest league fixture and came away with the customary defeat. In stark contrast to last week, City were sluggish from the start and were soon trailing to their hosts. Two quick goals on the break gave Red Star a comfortable early lead and gave Lee Thubron little chance in the City goal. City tried to respond instantly with Holly Parton taking on the whole of the Red Star defence before her shot was scrambled behind by the panicked keeper for a corner. However, things got worse for City when Laura McLaughlan caught a Red Star forward in a crowded box and the resulting penalty was duly dispatched to Thubron’s right.

City knew they had to drastically improve but were still unable to click into gear, even after halftime, and looked incapable of playing as a team. Parton managed to pull a goal back after Vicky Horner intercepted a forward pass and played a well-weighted ball behind the Red Star defence. This goal finally managed to wake up the lacklustre City team and, with midfield dynamo Martina O’Flynn becoming increasingly influential, City began to believe that a point could be rescued. Despite constant pressure, a rare Red Star attack resulted in a lucky attempted cross by one of the host’s forwards on the by-line somehow floating into the net.

To their credit, City did not give up and O’Flynn was unlucky to see her powerful, low shot deflect away off an upright. City were now playing to their strengths and passing the ball around their opponents. A goal was eventually pulled back when Parton layed the ball back for Bex Cleary to score from outside the box. The improbable comeback was nearly completed when Parton scored her second in the 83^rd minute after rounding goalkeeper and defender to pass into an empty net. However, it was all too little too late and City were narrowly, but deservedly, defeated by a team that they should really have beaten.  

Team: L. Thubron; S. Lewis (V. Horner, 60), S. Hagger, J. Foat, L. McLaughlan; A. Maidment (C. Mansell, 72), M. O’Flynn, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Parton, H. Barker

Match Six

Winchester City Women 1 – 3 Riverside

Winchester City Women faced their toughest test of the season when they welcomed unbeaten league leaders Riverside to Chilcomb. After last weeks disjointed performance, City knew they would have to play to their full potential in order to avoid the embarrassing scoreline dished out to other teams by Riverside. From the first whistle, City more than matched their opponents, closing down quickly and denying Riverside the space that they wanted to play in. Cath MacDonald and Sorcha Hagger marshalled the defence well and, for the first half hour, Riverside could not muster any shot of note to trouble Lee Thubron in goal. In comparison, City had two opportunities to open the scoring, both from corners enforced by the hardworking forwards. MacDonald connected with an inswinging corner but was unable to direct the header goalwards while Bex Cleary’s improvised hook shot went wide of the post. City’s refusal to let Riverside walk all over them annoyed their opponents and both sides were soon lunging into tackles and giving away needless freekicks. From one such freekick on the edge of the area, Riverside undeservedly opened the scoring with a low powerful shot that cut straight through City’s defences in the 40^th minute. City, still in shock from conceding, were soon another goal behind when an uncharacteristic mistake by the dependable Hagger gave Riverside a two on one situation that they duly converted a minute before halftime.

After the break, Winchester again managed to match, and pressurize, their much exalted opponents and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when a MacDonald freekick was volleyed onto the crossbar by Cleary and City were unable to take advantage of the rebound. This seemed to spur Riverside into life and a strike from the edge of the area was bravely blocked by Vicky Horner but the rebound fell kindly to another attacker who showed brilliant technique to find the top corner from outside the box.

However, City were not to be defeated without a fight and, straight from the kickoff, Amy Maidment won a freekick near the corner flag which allowed Gemma Ryan to score from close range, the first goal Riverside had conceded all season. City were unable to pull another goal back, despite an acrobatic effort from Ryan which was deflected to safety, and Thubron produced some fine saves to deny Riverside a fourth. The final scoreline flattered the visitors as City had been more than a match for them but the performance and return to form can make City proud.

 Team: L. Thubron; V. Horner (S. Lewis, 77), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; A. Maidment, H. Barker (J. Foat, 83), B. Cleary, G. Ryan; C. Mansell (E. McInnes, 60), H. Parton

Match Seven

Winchester City Women 6 – 1 Winchester United Ladies

Winchester City Women welcomed their city rivals Winchester United Ladies for the first derby game in both clubs’ history. United had gained promotion last season but were finding life in the higher division hard and City were in no mood to give their rivals an easy time. The match proved to be a cagey affair as city pride was at stake and neither side wanted to lose. City had the early pressure and threatened the United goal but could only force a number of corners. In contrast, United could offer very little in the final third with the telling pass that was needed found hard to come by. It took until the 25^th minute for the scoring to be opened when Sara Gilbert forced the ball over the line from a Holly Parton corner. This goal settled City and it only took ten more minutes for a three goal lead to be established. Cath MacDonald scored an excellent goal when taking a freekick from just inside the attacking half and managing to lob the keeper while Hannah Barker nodded home at the far post from another corner for the third. City should really have been out of sight by the half time break. Parton had an excellent turn and shot blocked by the United ‘keeper while Gilbert’s pace was continually troubling the defence. Amy Maidment had an excellent run when, after a rare United attack was broken up, she collected the ball inside her own half and beat the whole of the visitor’s defence but unfortunately saw her shot blocked by the ‘keeper on the line. In contrast to the United keeper, Emily McInnes in the City goal, deputizing for the injured Lee Thubron, had relatively little to do.

City started the second half as they had finished the first when Gilbert scored again after Parton’s fierce shot was only parried. City’s play was frustratingly not up to the standards that they had set last week against Riverside and the game became very scrappy. Both sides made some very robust challenges with Maidment taking the full force of one tackle while Laura McLaughlan, after a generally disciplined defensive display, was booked after catching a United attacker late. United managed to breach City’s defence in the 62^nd minute when their captain was slow to be closed down and managed to drive in a shot from outside the box which gave McInnes no chance. However, City struck back straight away when Gilbert completed her hat-trick after another shot was only able to be parried by the goalkeeper. The game became disjointed towards the end of the half with neither side really threatening to score. McInnes was again comfortable in City’s goal and cleared up anything that did reach her while using her clearances to good effect in an effort to get an attack going. The scoring was completed in the 90^th minute when Parton scored a deserved goal after Clair Mansell’s well struck shot had hit the crossbar. This victory put an end to City’s recent losing streak and will hopefully boost City as they start their cup campaign next week against Portsmouth University.

Team:- E. McInnes; V. Horner (J. Foat, 75), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan (C. Mansell, 80); A. Maidment, H. Barker, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Parton, S. Gilbert

Cup

Winchester City 2 – 5 Portsmouth University

Winchester City Women made a disappointing exit to the first cup competition of the season after being comprehensively beaten by Portsmouth University. The teams started off on even footing and matched each other well with both teams failing to create any clear cut opportunities. The turning point of the game came when centre back Emily McInnes was forced off with a bad shin injury after a late tackle midway through the first half while clearing the ball. City managed to take the lead through Lucy Scott’s opportunistic strike from outside the box on 40 minutes but Portsmouth University took advantage of the makeshift backline and hit back straight away, heading past the stranded Hayley Litchfield making her first start in goal for the first team this season. City responded straight away in the only way they knew how and attacked the University defence straight from the kick off. The impressive forward partnership of Sara Gilbert and Holly Parton created an excellent scoring opportunity when Gilbert chased down a loose ball and her cross left Parton with the easy task of heading in unmarked at the far post.

However, this was as good as the game got for City and, after the break, Portsmouth came out playing some impressive one touch football that left the City defenders stranded. It took only five minutes for Portsmouth to draw level and the afternoon got worse still for City when experienced centre back Sorcha Hagger was also forced off through injury leaving City’s defence even weaker. The situation did not improve when a University striker made the most of a tackle by Vicky Horner inside the box and a rather dubious penalty was awarded. Litchfield, who was impressive in goal all afternoon, got a hand to it but could not keep it out. Martina O’Flynn tried valiantly to rally the troops and was constantly involved in the action but Portsmouth were not going to relinquish their lead. It was now one way traffic towards the City goal and two more goals were scored before the end as City were unable to keep the ball upfield for any substantial period of time. The final 5-2 scoreline was a testament to the poor second half display of City who were bitterly disappointed to be knocked out of the cup that they got to the semifinal stage two seasons ago.    

Team:- H. Litchfeild; V. Horner, E. McInnes (M. O’Flynn, 35), S. Hagger (A. Cooper, 55), J. Foat; C. Mansell (Nobby, 83), H. Barker, B. Cleary, L. Scott; S. Gilbert, H. Parton

Match Eight

 Winchester City Women 1 -1 Andover New Street

 Winchester City Women welcomed their old rivals Andover New Street to Chilcomb knowing that matches between these two have always been tight and this match proved to be no different. City dominated the game and were unfortunate not to take a commanding lead into halftime. Sara Gilbert went close twice but saw one effort blocked on the line by a covering defender after rounding the stranded goalkeeper while the other was just over the bar. City had the lion’s share of possession but few genuine chances were created. Lucy Scott’s well struck shot from outside the box after good build up play was well saved by the impressive New Street ‘keeper. In contrast, Lee Thubron had a relatively untroubled game in goal after returning from injury. The City defence looked strong and assured and New Street’s  only attack of the first half was cleared off the line by Cath MacDonald.

The second half saw New Street create more chances after a stern halftime team talk. Nevertheless, it was still City who once again threatened more and when Holly Parton had a characteristic run at the New Street defence halted by a lunging tackle a penalty was awarded. Parton took the kick but her powerful effort was somehow pushed onto the crossbar with the rebound being forced behind for a corner. It took until the 80^th minute for City to eventually score when Gilbert slotted home after a good counterattacking move starting at the back by Sorcha Hagger.

However, New Street managed to lob Thubron after a hopeful long ball despite managing to get fingertips to it. City still had time to hit the crossbar before the final whistle of a match that should comfortably had been won.

 Team: L. Thubron; S. Lewis (C. Heathers, 80), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; H. Barker, L. Scott, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Parton, S. Gilbert.

 Cup

Winchester City Women 1 -1 Horndean Ladies

(Horndean won 4-2 on pens)

 In true testament to the fact that the better team in football is not necessarily the winning team, Winchester City Women got knocked out of their second cup competition of the season by Horndean Ladies on penalties. City took the match to their visitors from the off and were soon one goal to the good. After a Horndean attack had been broken up in midfield, Carly Heathers, who along with Sara Gilbert terrorised the Horndean defence all game, made a terrific run and her cross was eventually met at the far post by Hannah Barker to score in the eighth minute. This should have been the start of many more goals but, like last weeks performance against New Street, City’s dominant play could not be rewarded with the finishing touch. Both Gilbert and strike partner Holy Parton had chances to extend the lead but were unable to beat the Horndean ‘keeper. In contrast, Lee Thubron in the City goal had nothing to do all half as her defence, with Sorcha Hagger and Cathy MacDonald commanding the centre, cleared up any danger before it reached her.

The second half was a continuation of the first with City dominating possession but unable to capitalise. Lucy Scott was controlling attacks from the centre of the park and Horndean could not match her inventiveness. City were constantly causing problems for Horndean’s beleaguered defence but could find no way past the ‘keeper, easily their player of the match, who dominated her penalty area and saved anything that was fired at her. Horndean were soon reduced to some rather dubious tactics with late tackles and elbows being thrown in midfield but they were still hanging on in the game. City could still not find a way through and the predictable equaliser was scored when the Horndean striker had a rare shot that was wickedly deflected that it left Thubron wrong footed and crept in. This set back made City more determined but, despite sustained pressure, the final ball was lacking and when a shot was made, the ‘keeper managed to get something on it. Heather’s had two good shots late on saved on the line when they looked destined to go in and settle the game.

Extra time was a continuation of the match with City dominating but unable to capitalise. Horndean attempted to use the wings more as their central striker tired but Vicky Horner and Jane Foat dealt with any attempt at breaching the City defence before starting another attack. Penalties were required to separate the two teams as the cold evening drew in. With the grass frosting over, City were forced to go second in the shoot out and, when the first Horndean player dispatched her penalty past Thubron, the pressure was on captain MacDonald. Unfortunately, the Horndean ‘keeper managed to produce yet more heroics and kept out the powerful shot. The next four penalties were all scored. Horndean’s kicks were confident, accurate and powerful, giving Thubron little hope of saving them. Bex Cleary and Parton both shot accurately into the side netting to the ‘keepers right, giving her no chance despite managing to guess the right way to dive. Unfortunately, she did manage to save Lucy Scott’s effort which gave Horndean a 4-2 win to reward there never-say-die attitude. City left feeling cheated as they had dominated the game from start to finish but their inability to convert possession into goals cost them dearly.

Team:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis (V. Horner, 60), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, J. Foat; H. Barker (C. Mansell, 98), L. Scott, B. Cleary, C. Heathers; H. Parton, S. Gilbert.

Match Nine

Winchester City 6 – 0 Christchurch

After an enforced break, Winchester City Women got their season back on track with a comfortable 6-0 win over visitors Christchurch Ladies. With a depleted squad, City started well and soon settled into their passing style but were unable to create any real chances. The City defence was largely untroubled by Christchurch and any attacks were quickly broken up by Cath MacDonald and Sorcha Hagger. It took until the 25^th minute for City to take the lead when Bex Cleary broke from midfield and latched onto a Holly Parton flick before driving past the onrushing keeper. This goal settled City and it was not long before a convincing lead was established. MacDonald managed to head in at the near post from an inswinging Lucy Scott corner despite the close attention of a Christchurch defender. The front two of Parton and Hannah Barker then combined for the third. Parton took on the retreating Christchurch defence in a characteristic run and her parried shot was forced home by Barker before Parton scored her own deserved goal and City’s fourth with a first time finish from a long ball just before half time.

Playing into the sun in the second half, City still dominated the game without creating as many clear cut chances as in the first half. Gemma Ryan was a constant nuisance down the left flank and was unable to be contained by Christchurch with Laura McLaughlan covering solidly behind her. The hard working Scott forced home a loose ball in the box in the 65^th minute before Christchurch had a rare attack thwarted after good covering play by Sarah Lewis. After City had caused more confusion in the Christchurch box with their incisive forward play, Parton scored her second with a well placed shot between the keeper and the post. Lee Thubron did not have a real save to make all game in the City goal and was reduced to only sweeping up loose balls all game. This result is what City had been threatening all season but this time they managed to put the finishing touch onto the excellent build up play.

Team:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis, S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; S. Gilbert, L. Scott, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Barker, H. Parton.

Match Ten

Andover New Street Ladies 2 – 0 Winchester City Women

On a wet and cold afternoon, Winchester City Women travelled to their old rivals Andover New Street for their first match of the new year. City were determined to start the year as they meant to go on and began the brighter of the two teams. Gemma Ryan created several good chances for herself but was unable to find the back of the net and Bex Cleary should have done better when her shot from outside the area failed to find the target. Sara Gilbert looked lively up front and was showing some neat touches that the New Street defence could not cope with. Sorcha Hagger was again commanding at the back and, helped by Cathy MacDonald, swept up any danger before it reached Lee Thubron in goal.

The second half began with conditions continuing to deteriorate and the pitch was causing all sorts of problems with instant ball control proving near impossible for both teams. City began slowly after the interval and were soon punished. A quick break from New Street left their lone striker with the simple task of slotting past the stranded Thubron and they were soon two up when the same player broke again after good work from the New Street midfield who dominated the game. City appeared to be finding the conditions harder to cope with than their hosts and their task was not helped by the controversial sending off influential City striker Holly Parton. This sending off seemed even more unfair in the eyes of the City players and management due to the fact that a perpetual New Street offender, despite numerous warnings throughout the game and what appeared to be a deliberate stamp on Cleary after a fair challenge, escaped only with a yellow. City’s reorganised side saw them playing three at the back as they tried to pull a goal back and they were lucky not to concede a third as first Thubron pulled off a brilliant one on one save before Vicky Horner made a vital tackle just as the New Street player was going to shoot. To their credit, City did not give up and were unfortunate for Hannah Barker’s effort to be puzzlingly ruled out after a delightful lob over the onrushing ‘keeper.

The game was slowly descending into a farce as the conditions became nearly unplayable and the referee, after a quiet and well marshalled first half, began to take centre stage with some peculiar decisions which baffled both sides. Apart from all the mud, the game was anything but dirty but the referee still booked three New Street players along with the sending off in the second half in what appeared to be a on the whole a fairly contested match. New Street deserved their win after coping with the appalling conditions better but City still left bitterly disappointed with the manner of their performance and hope that their one bad performance for the year is now out of their system.   

Team:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis (V. Horner, 65), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; H. Barker, L. Scott, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Parton, S. Gilbert

 Match Eleven

 Winchester City Women 0 – 1 Red Star Ladies

 For the second time this season, Winchester City Women lost to their fierce rivals Red Star Ladies by a single goal. In a game that lacked any real spark from either team, City frustratingly could still not regain the form that they showed before the Christmas break. After both sides easily cancelling each other out without threatening, Red Star took the lead when a long ball forward was hopefully hit by a forward and it looped over Lee Thubron in goal. City were reduced to long range shots with both central midfielders Lucy Scott and Bex Cleary having efforts from 30 yards which, despite being on target, did not challenge the keeper. Sarah Lewis had a decent appeal for a penalty turned down when her attempted cross appeared to be blocked by a Red Star hand but appeals were turned away. City’s cause was not helped when their already depleted squad was reduced further with an injury to Gemma Ryan after a heavy challenge. With no available substitutes, Ryan bravely carried on but was obviously hindered and was unable to produce any of her trademark runs. Up front, Emily McInnes, returning after a long spell out injured, was pressuring the defenders and making some useful runs but was lacking any real service while Sorcha Hagger and Cath MacDonald were solid at the back..

 The second half did not bring any new luck for City who, despite no lack of effort, were unable to make individual exertion gel for the sake of the team. McInnes had a header cleared off the line and Vicky Horner made a vital tackle when it appeared that there was only Thubron left to beat. The game petered out towards the end with neither side creating any chances and possession was squandered easily. City will hope that they will be able to regain their form before next week’s Winchester derby against United.

Team:- L. Thubron; V. Horner, S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; S. Lewis, L. Scott, B. Cleary, G. Ryan; H. Barker, H. Parton

Match Twelve

 Winchester United 2 – 4 Winchester City Women

Winchester City Women eventually got their season back up and running with a derby win over city rivals Winchester United. As has been there form of late, City started slowly and in only the first minute United earned themselves a freekick just outside the area after an impressive display of quick passing. The resulting kick was just over the crossbar and provided City with the wake up call that they needed. City’s football was not as free flowing as they have demonstrated earlier in the season but was a vast improvement on the lacklustre display of last week. City took the lead when Sorcha Hagger intercepted a forward pass and found Hannah Barker out on the right. Barker’s persistence led to Holly Parton having a free path to goal and she duly scored from a tight angle in the 20^th minute. It took only three more minutes before City extended there lead when a ball forward by Laura McLaughlan left Sara Gilbert with a free run from the half way line and she comfortably beat the stranded United keeper. To their credit, United did not give up and, showing much improved football from the beginning of the season, deservedly pulled a goal back when their lively forward managed to lob the advancing Lee Thubron. City should really have been out of sight by half time but poor finishing, some impressive goalkeeping and tight offside decisions left the scores close.

The second half began much stronger for City, who showed much more determination and organisation, leaving United with less space to play in than they had previously enjoyed in the first half. City extended their lead when Lucy Scott’s powerful run resulted in her shot only able to be parried by the keeper and Gemma Ryan was on hand to put away the rebound. The game, a friendly affair for a derby match, was slowed down considerably by some dubious decisions made by the referee which sometimes left both teams and their supporters confused. City further extended their lead when Gilbert, who could easily have got a hat trick, picked up a ball that had been brilliantly worked down the right by Vicky Horner and Sarah Lewis and beat the defence before slotting past the stationary keeper. United still refused to give in and pulled another goal back when a long range strike from outside the area looped over Thubron, though there was some debate about whether it actually went in as the ball ended up on the outside of the net. This game saw City attempting to return to their impressive style of football but there is still a long way to go before their pre-Christmas form can be achieved.

Team:- L. Thubron; V. Horner (A. Maidmant, 80), S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; H. Barker (S. Lewis, 55), B. Cleary, L. Scot, G. Ryan; H. Parton (E. McInnes, 70), S. Gilbert