Match 1:- City 0 Vs 4 Eastleigh
City's season got off to a bad start against a strong and well organised Eastleigh side, recently promoted to division one. With less than ideal prematch preperation, City started slowly and Eastleigh soon took the lead with a fine finish from the edge of the box. However, City fought their way back into the game and were unlucky not to have an equaliser when first Emily Bradshaw ran through the defence but her finish narrowly went the wrong side of the post and then an Emily Langstone cross was just inches away from being finished by debutant Nasa Eke. Despite having more possession of the ball, City found themselves two goals down at the break when the Eastleigh attacker calmly chipped the defender and powered the ball into the net.
It wasn't long into the second half that Eastleigh doubled their lead with two quick goals but City continued to try and push for a consolation goal and went close on several occassions with Eke, Bradshaw and Bex Cleary all nearly providing City with a glimour of hope but Eastleigh's better prematch and preseason preperation proved decisive. City put in poorer performabces than this this season but will come away with the points.
Team:- C. MacDonald; S. Vokes, B. Cleary, S. Lewis, L. Maclaughlan; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; E. Bradshaw, N, Eke
Match 2:- Farnham 2 Vs 2 City
(Barker, Eke)
City came away from this match feeling aggreived at not gaining all three points after some exceedingly dubious offside decisions prevented Bex Cleary getting a hattrick. City should of opened the scoring within the first five minutes when Hannah Barker pulled the ball back from the byline, a deflection off a defender took it away from the goalkeepers grip and Cleary finished only to be flagged. This was not the end of the linesman contribution with Alice Cantelo feeling agrieved on many occassions when fine runs down the left wing were stopped in their tracks by a flag or a crude challenge. Nasa Eke was causing all sorts of trouble to the Farnham defence and Emily Bradshaw and Martina O'Flynn were easily dominating midfield. However, it was Farnham who took the lead when their impressive left winger let fly from long range, giving Lee Thubron no chance. City should have equalised however Cleary was somehow flagged offside after chasing her own pass and noone could quite get on the end of a teasing cross from Bradshaw that went right across the face of goal.
After surviving constant Farnham pressure at the begining of the second half, City started their fight back. Barker followed in well from a Cantelo cross from the left to equalise and then Eke scored her first goal for the club with a great finish past the keeper to give City the lead. As City pushed to extend their lead, Farnham produced a fine counter attack leading to their goal scorer having the vision and skill to calmly lob Thubron to bag herself a brace and her team the equaliser. City continued to push for a winner but could just not find the finish and had to settle for a point but left the match feeling bitterly dissapointed and looking foward to the rematch.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes (C. Ashman, 75), C. MacDonald, S. Lewis, L. Mclaughlan; H. Barker, E. Bradshaw, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary (S. Gilbert, 60), N. Eke
Match 3:- City 4 Vs 2 Farnham
(Ashman2, Gilbert, Cleary)
City managed to get their first three points of the season and gain revenge against a stubborn Farnham side on a hot autumn afternoon. City started strongly and restricted Farnham to their own territory for vast periods of the first half. With a rejigged side, it tok a while for City to settle and really find thir rythem but once they did they soon took the lead, Charlie Ashman scoring from what looked like an impossible angle. It then took only a minute for City to increase their lead further when Alice Cantelo produced a brilliant left wing cross that gave Ashman the easy chance of tapping in a yard from goal. Farnham refused to give up and in their first real attack of the game, mangaged to produce a goal. Sarah Lewis was exceedingly unlucky to see her headed clearence bounce back off the attackers shoulder and Farnham cooly slotted away their chance. City were soon on the offensive again and Sara Gilbert produced a fine finish when one on one with the goalkeeper, keeping her nerve to easily roll the ball into the far corner of the net. It was 4-1 by halftime when an intelligent throw from Laura McLaughlan found Bex Cleary who finished from outside the box. Emily Langstone seemed determined to get on the scoresheet from long distance and was not far off with a couple of shots but the first half belonged to City.
The second half turned into a scrappy affair with the heat and sloped pitch taking its toll on both teams. City still dominated but their play was nowhere near the standard of previous performances. City's defence easily coped with Farnham's attacks and Emily McInnes in goal and little to do all match. The only goal of the half came late on when a Farnham corner was headed into her own net by a City defender on the line and Farnham did briefly threaten an unexpected resurrgence but the Farnham foward fired well over when well placed in front of goal, leaving City to claim the three points.
E. MCInnes; H. Barker (S. Vokes, 60), S. Lewis, C. MacDonald, L. McLaughlan; E. Langstone, B. Cleary, N. Eke, A. Cantelo; S. Gilbert, C. Ashman
Hants Cup:- City 3 - 4 Basingstoke Town
(Bradshaw, Langstone, Cleary)
In their first cup game of the season, City lost narrowly to undefeated league leader Basingstoke. In an evenly matched affair Basingstoke took the lead but it did not last long as Emily Bradshaw took on most of the Basingstoke team on a mazy run from the halfway line before finishing left footed past the keeper. City were unlucky not to extend their advantage first through Bradshaw and then when Bex Cleary hit the bar with an overhead kick from an Emily Langstone corner. It was Basingstoke who did take a two goal advantage with goals either side of half time leaving the game looking dead and buried. However, City, displaying a character that was missing last season staged a comeback. First, Langstone curled in a delightful free kick from the right and then a perfect pass from Martina O'Flynn saw Cleary beat the offside trap and finish past the onrushing keeper. THe game was decided when Basingstoke were awarded a penalty for handball and this were powerfully dispatched. Sara Gilbert was unfortunate not to grab another equaliser to force extra time when her shot beat the keeper but the post aswell. Despite the result, there were more positives taken from this game than negatives.
L. Thubron; S. Vokes, H. Barker, C. MacDonald, L. MacLaughlan (C. Ashman, 45); S. Gilbert, M. O'Flynn (N. Eke, 80), E. Langstone, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary, E. Bradshaw
League Cup:- Shanklin 0 - 6 City
(Cleary(pen), Langstone, MacDonald, Eke, Hagger, Bradshaw)
City were rewarded for their long journey with a good victory in rainy conditions against Shanklin. Once City had got rid of their sea legs, Shanklin's young team could not cope with the power and pace of City's attack. Sara Gilbert was a constant threat down the right and produced many fine crosses but Shanklin were brave and blocked everything that came their way. Nasa Eke caused havoc all game and it was one of her powerful runs that produced a reckless tackle in the box, the resulting spot kick being despatched by Bex Cleary. City were quickly on the attack again when Cleary was set frr by Gilbert but dragged her shot wide under pressure from the defender. Emily Langstone produced a fine save from the keeper and Cath MacDonald crashed a shot against the post but City could not find that finish. Shanklin were unfortunate not to get a goal back when a cross from the left beat the City defence but the Shanklin attacker misjudged the bounce on the slick pitch and Alice Cantelo was able to clear. City did take a two goal lead into the break when good interchange of passing down the right by Gilbert, Martina O'Flynn and Emily Bradshaw produced a measured ball for Langstone to strike from outside the box to beat the keeper at the near post.
After the break, City improved and used the width well and had added another goal within five minutes when MacDonald got on the end of another rebound from a corner and powered home. MacDonald then set City on their way to a fourth with a powerful run foward from the defence before playing the ball wide on the left for Cleary. The never tiring Gilbert got on the end of the resulting cross and left Eke with the simple task of poking home with a goal that her play deserved. Sorch Hagger, returning from injury for her first appearence of the season, made her presence felt with a goal two minutes after coming on, a good strike from outside the box after a short corner. Bradshaw wrapped up the victory with a fine finish past the keeper after a long ball out of defence and Charlie Ashman was unlucky not to score after a great run took her past the whole defence but she saw her shot cannon off the post and out. City's reward for this win is a trip away to old rivals New Street who are likely to prove a much tougher task.
L. Thubron; S. Vokes, C. MacDonald, C. Ashman; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary (L. McLaughlan, 70), N. Eke (S. Hagger, 70)
Match 4:- City 0 - 2 Salisbury
City narrowly lost a close game to one of the teams pushing for the title. After last season's drumming by Salisbury in the corresponding fixture, City knew they were in for a tough match but more than held their own against a strong team. Two first half goals were enough to win the game, Lee Thubron in goal being unlucky with both as the well placed finishes were inches past her reach. City did have opportunities to score when Bex Cleary sw her freekick cleared off the line and Alice Cantelo was inches away from converting a cross. Salisbury were pegged back into their own half for a lot of the game as City pressed high up the pitch and got have easily got a goal when Hannah Barker saw her powerful close range finish rise over the bar. This game only highlighted how far City have come and improved from last season and that they can more than hold their own with the best teams in the league.
L. Thubron; S. Vokes, C. MacDonald, S. Hagger, L. MacLaughlan; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone (H. Barker,79), M. O'Flynn (C. Ashman, 78), A. Cantelo (N. Eke, 80), E. Bradshaw; B. Cleary
North Hants Cup:- Basingstoke Res 1 - 4 City
(Cleary(3), Cantelo)
City comfortably won their cup tie against a valient Basingstole Town Reserve team without ever really getting out of first gear. Credit must go to Town who worked hard, closing down quickly and limiting time City had on the ball. City began brightly in difficult conditions and created plenty of chances in the first half with the Basingstoke defence constantly under pressure but the final touch was just missing. At the other end of the pitch, Lee Thubron had a quiet half sweeping up a few loose balls. Nasa Eke was unlucky to see her goal chalked off as the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play. However, it was from her powerful run and cross that saw City take the lead into the break whan Bex Cleary finished.
Two quick goals after the break killed the game off. Alice Cantelo, after a surging run down the left, saw the keeper off her line and executed a brilliant chip into the far corner from the edge of the box. Then, on the opposite flank, Sara Gilbert cut the ball inside for Cleary to drill the ball under the advancing keeper. Cleary completed her hattrick with a simple tap in after another fine Gilbert run and cross led to confusion between goalkeeper and defender leaving an open goal. Town refused to give up and deservedly pulled one goal back after Thubron could only parry a powerful shot and was unlucky to see the rebound fall to an advancing foward who finished well. City had chances to extend their lead further when first Cleary then Martina O'Flynn then Gilbert tried to head in a perfect Emily Langstone corner but the game of headtennis was finished when the defence cleared the ball. City confidently advance into the semifinals but a much improved performance will be needed there.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes, S. Lewis, S. Hagger, L. MacLaughlan; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, E. Bradshaw, A. Cantelo; N. Eke(M.O'Flynn, 60), B. Cleary
Match 5:- Portsmouth University 3 - 2 City
(Cleary(2))
A City side depleted by illness and injury travelled to Portsmouth and came away disappointed. The game started well for City with Emily Bradshaw having the first real effort on goal but it was bravely blocked by the advancing keeper. Cath MacDonald was deputizing in goal and was commanding her area forcefully and easily collecting anything that came her way while the new defensive unit were working hard to keep chances to a minimum. The pitch did not help the flow of the game for either side and the long grass hindered City's passing game. However, City did take the lead into half time when Bex Cleary blocked an attempted clearence by the last defender, rounded the oncoming keeper and finished into an empty net.
Portsmouth Uni started the brighter of the 2 sides after the break and pulled a goal back with a powerful header and then came a crucial ten minutes when City lost their organisation and allowed the Uni team to take a 2 goal lead. City refused to give in and pulled one goal back when Nasa Eke, who's powerful running had caused havoc all afternoon, challenged for a high ball which fell to Cleary to volley home from outside the box. City were then denied a clear penalty when Cleary was haulded the ground when attempting to reach a Charlie Ashman cross and then Sara Gilbert was exceptionally unlucky that the ball bobbled over her foot when following up a brilliant shot from Bradshaw that the keeper could only parry. City showed their ability in this game and were unlucky that their fighting qualitites did not end up with at least a share of the spoils.
Team:- C. MacDonald; C. Ashman, S. Lewis, S. Hagger, A. Cantelo; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, E. Bradshaw; N. Eke, B. Cleary
Match 6:- City 3 - 3 Red Star
(Cleary(2), Bradshaw)
City responded to being two goals down twice in this match to recover a hard point in a match they dominated from start to finish. City dominated the first half from start to finish and had Red Star on the back foot from the off, Emily Bradshaw running at the defence who would be back tracking all half. However, City were unable to find a way through with Bex Cleary missing numerous chances to give City the lead they deserved. Red Star somehow took a two goal lead into the break, Sorcha Hagger diverting the ball past Lee Thubron with a sliced clearence and the only Red Star shot on target was neatly finished off into the far corner, giving Thubron no chance. City still refused to give in without a fight and a beautiful diagonal ball from Hagger saw Cleary slide the ball under the keepr only for the covering defender to keep the ball out. The highlight of the half was the introduction at left back of Nat Gilmour for the injured Laura MacLaughlan and she produced a fine, commanding performance all match, looking like she had played at this level all her life.
The second half saw City start slowly and only a brilliant clearence off the line by Cath MacDonald kept the score at only a two goal deficit. Alice Cantelo produced a fine run down the left and produced a perfect cut back to Cleary before a crunching tackle should have resulted in a certain penalty. However, the referee, impressive all game, played good advantage and Cleary powerfully finished from just inside the box, seeing City back into the match. Red Star grabbed another goal but again City kept fighting back, with Martina O'Flynn in the centre of most battles and Cantelo challenging for everything down the left. Bradshaw half volleyed in from the edge of the box after the defence could only half clear and then Cleary grabbed the equaliser with five minutes remaining with another powerful finish past the unsighted keeper after a brilliant O'Flynn run foward. City were delighted with a point at the end of a game they made harder for themselves than was neccesary but, on felction, will see it as two points dropped rather than one gained.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis, S. Hagger, C. MacDonald (H. Barker, 70), L. MacLaughlan (N. Gilmour, 30); S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary, E. Bradshaw
Match 7:- Salisbury 3 - 1 City
(Cleary)
City showed their ability in this loss to top of the table Salisbury and the scoreline did not represent the game, with City easily dominating possession and showing how much their game has progressed from last season. Knowing they would be in for a tough afternoon, City's cause was not helped by over half the team suffering from flu but they started strongly and forced successive corners that Salisbury did well to clear. Tough tackling midfielder Martina O'Flynn was forced off after a heavy knock from a late challenge and Salisbury made their numerical advantage count with two quick goals. City refused to give up and continued to create half chances for themselves but were unable to keep the ball in their attacking half for long.
After the break, City started slowly allowing Salisbury to score again but, after last weeks comeback, City knew the game was far from over. Emily Bradshaw produced many a fine run from midfield to stretch the defence and the hobbling O'Flynn had a good chance to score but her attempted chip over the keeper was just kept out. Cath McDonald went close with some long range freekicks and it was from a freekick that City got their consolation. Bradshaw was frustrating the defence with her intelligent runs and they soon resorted to some desperate challenges to stop her. It was from one of these fouls that Emily Langstone floated in a brilliant free kick which allowed Bex Cleary to head in past the keeper. City tried valiently to score another but were thwarted as the game continued by illness and injury taking effect and lack of substitutes. Lee Thubron in goal had very little to do all game as Cty's defence was strong and even allowed dependable centreback Sorcha Hagger, on a rare foward run, to produce a fine long range effort that sailed narrowly over the bar. City can take great heart from this performance and, if they continue improving, will be more than able to make a decent challenge at the top of the table next season.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes, S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. MacLaughlin; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; E. Bradshaw, B. Cleary
Match 8:- City 5 - 0 Christchurch
(Cantelo, Cleary(2), Langstone, Bradshaw)
Having been beaten by the weather so far since the turn of the year, City got 2009 off to a great start with a win and rare clean sheet against visiting Christchurch. City got off to a flying start, taking the lead within the first 5 minutes. Sara Gilbert produced another great trademark run and cross which was half cleared by the defence. The lively Emily Bradshaw kept the ball alive and her intelligent cut back allowed Alice Cantelo to powerfully finish. This goal should have been a catalyst for City to settle down into their game but, to their credit, Christchurch did not allow this, packing the midfield and allowing City very little time on the ball. City did create a couple of half chances but were finding the lack of space and hilly pitch difficult to deal with. Cantelo was working hard all over the pitch and even tried her luck from just inside the Christchurch half after seeing the keeper off her line. It took until the end of the first half for City to extend their lead, Bex Cleary latching onto a Nasa Eke pass and cutting back inside from the left of the box and finishing past the wrong footed keeper.
A change of formation at half time had instant success with Emily Langstone scoring within 30 seconds of kick off, Christchurch having yet to touch the ball. The lead was extended further when a Cantelo cross was dropped by the keeper, who overall had a great game and kept the score down, leaving Cleary with the easy task of finishing left footed into the unguarded net. To their credit, Christchurch refused to give in and produced a couple of half chances which Lee Thubron had no difficulty in collecting. Injuries were common occurunces on either side with both teams forced into using all their substitutes. However, this did allow City to play three impressive rserve team players at a higher level and all showed neat touches on the ball. One player, Laura Hoff, was milimetres away from scoring on her debut and Sara Gilbert saw her shot deflected onto the post by a defender after good work by both Vicky Horner and Faye Gowing. The scoring was completed 5 minutes before the end with Bradshaw converting a pinpoint Langstone corner. This win should hopefully give City some confidence before the cup game next week at old rivals Andover New Street.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes (V. Horner, 75), S. Hagger, C. Ashman (L. Hoff, 60), L. MacLaughlan; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, B. Cleary, A. Cantelo; N. Eke(F. Gowing, 72), E. Bradshaw
League Cup:- New Street 3 - 2 City
(Cleary, Eke)
City saw their hopes of a league cup triumph come to an end as their much postponed second round tie against Andover New Street was eventually played after three cancellations due to adverse weather conditions. In a tight first half, City had the better of the openings with Alice Cantelo and Emily Langstone forcing the keeper into fine saves. In contrast, Lee Thubron in the City goal had very little to do but this was due mainly to Charlie Ashman having an excellent game at centre back, marshalling the lively New Street attackers brilliantly and being ably supported on the flanks by Sam Vokes and Laura McLaughlan. The heavy going took its toll by the end of the half and the game was fought out in midfield with neither team creating many chances.
The second half started well for City as they took the lead within a minute. Cantelo was rather crudely tackled outside the box and Bex Cleary's free kick was headed past the keeper by a desperate defender. This goal led to New Street having an tactical reshuffle, sacraficing a defender for another attacker, and having instant success. Ex-New Street player Thubron produced three successive great saves as it looked more likely for New Street to score, however, City were getting more and more desperate as they could not escape their own half and two carbon copy goals within five minutes saw New Street take the lead. Two corners produced confusion in the City defence, leaving the New Street attacker at the far post the relativly simple task of heading in, Ashman paticularly unlucky to see the second one just evade her toe as she attempted to clear. City did not give up and continued to try and attack but a defensive error allowed a New Street strike to arrow a shot just out of Thubron's reach from long range. A goal was pulled back when Eke was brought down just outside the box and Emily Langstone's freekick could only be parried by the keeper, leaving Eke with the simple task of tapping into an empty net. The comeback was nearly completed in the last minute when the industrious Emily Bradshaw found Cleary on the right and her cross found the foward run of Sara Gilbert who managed to evade the onrushing keeper but could only fire her left foot shot wide of the goal after doing all the hard work. City will hope for better luck next week when they return to Foxcotte Park for their league clash.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes, C. Ashman, S. Hagger, L. MacLaughlan (S. Lewis, 75); S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, E. Bradshaw, A. Cantelo; N. Eke, B. Cleary
Match 9:- City 0 - 4 Basingstoke Town
Winchester City Women suffered their worst defeat since the first day of the season as Basingstoke Town, contenders for the league title, scored a brace of goals in each half. The scoreline did not reflect the match as a whole as City created numerous chances to score. Alice Cantelo gave her defender a torrid time down the left as did Sara Gilbert on the right but there was noone there to add the finishing touch. The best chance fell to Nasa Eke who could only poke the ball wide after the keeper managed to parry a powerful xhot from Bex Cleary. The Basingstoke keeper had an impressive game, saving from three 1-vs-1 situations and her long kicks continually put City back under pressure. Town played quick passing football, not let City near the ball when they had possession. In contrast, City looked rusty after weeks of cancelled games and were often slow in building attacks. They will need to improve if they want to make the final of the North Hants Cup and beat old rivals Andover New Street next week.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes, S. Hagger, C. MacDonald, L. MacLaughlan; S. Gilbert, B. Cleary, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; N. Eke, E. Langstone
Match 10:- Christchurch 0 - 3 City
Winchester City got back to winning ways at the weekend away at Christchurch. With Lee Thubron unavailable, Cath MacDonald again took over the gloves and was a commanding presence behind a solid back four, with her long kicks proving a useful outlet. City started the match brightly with Nasa Eke forcing the keeper into saves early on and both Martina O'Flynn and Bex Cleary had shots cleard off the line within the opening 20 minutes. Sara Gilbert looked destined to open the scoring with a long range shot but the impressive Christchurch keeper produced a full length save to push the ball to safety. City did take a lead into the break when O'Flynn advanced with the ball out of midfield and set up Cleary. The resulting shot deflected kindly into the path of Alice Cantelo who cooly slid the ball home.
The game continued in the same vain after the break with City having the lions share of possesion but Christchurch looking potentially dangerous with quick counter attacks. The pace of Charlie Ashman and Gilbert proved useful more than once at the back and MacDonald was commanding her area well and holding onto any shots. City's lead was increased when Eke finished off an Emily Langstone corner and the game was put beyond Christchurch's reach when Cleary finished from long range. To their credit, Christchurch never gave up and kept pushing for a goal but City came closer to scoring again but the Christchurch keeper was determined not to be beaten again and was also quick off her line to sweep up any danger. This win should hopefully prove to be morale boosting for City who have struggled of late and will need to be at their best as they have a tough run in to the season.
Team:- C. MacDonald; S. Vokes, C. Ashman, S. Hagger, L. MacLaughlan; S. Gilbert, E. Langstone, M. O'Flynn, A. Cantelo; N. Eke, B. Cleary
Match 11/12- Andover New Street 5 - 1 City/ City 1 - New Street 4
Eke / Langstone
Winchester City faced a double header of league games aagainst old foes Andover New Street. The scoreline for both games showed comfortable wins for New Street but the reality is that City pushed them all the way. In fact, in game one, City held a one goal lead at the break despite only having 10 available players. A freekick on the left, awarded after Emily Langstone had been sandwiched between 2 defenders, allowed Cath MacDonald to play a dangerous ball into the box. The underpressure keeper fumbled the ball leaving Nasa Eke the simple task of tapping into an empty net. New Street made their numerical advantage show after a half time telling off and a tiring City eventually conceded five goals.
The 2nd game did not start well for City , going into half time two down despite good work from the defence and some good saves from Lee Thubron when in 1-on-1 situations. Laura MacLaughlan offed a good attacking outlet down the left while centerbacks Charlie Ashman and Cath MacDonald combined pace and power to halt any New Street attacks with Sarah Lewis covering well on the right. Despite the scoreline, City were the dominant team with Sara Gilbert, Alice Cantelo, Emily Langstone, Bex Cleary and Holly Parton all going close and, with a bit more luck on another day, the shots could easily of gone in. Langstone did get a goal with a curling freekick from the right but New Street responded with two more - one exceptionally lucky when the ball bounced wickedly around Thubron. City face a tough run in with games against all the top teams but the nature of these performances should give City hope that they can compete against the best the league has to offer.
Team1:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis, C. Ashman, C. MacDonald, S. Hagger; N. eke, B. Cleary, E. Langstone, A. Cantelo; S. Gilbert
Team2:- L. Thubron; S. Lewis (H. Parton, 45), C. Ashman, C. MacDonald, L. MacLaughlan (E. Bradshaw, 80); N. Eke, S. Hagger, E. Langstone, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary, S. Gilbert
Match 13 - Basingstoke Town 2 - 0 City
Winchester City dominated this game against unbeaten Basingstoke Town but a lapse in City concentration and a scrappy goal ultimatly gave all three points to Basingstoke. City dominated the game from start to finish but just could not find that finishing touch. Emily Langstone, Bex Cleary, Sara Gilbert and Alice Cantelo all had good efforts on goal but were either just off target or allowing the keeper to make an easy save. On a hard pitch with a bouncing ball, City found it hard to time shots properly resulting in either lack of power or direction. Town found the pace of Charlie Ashman too much to contend with quick balls over the top and the one time they did spread the play they managed to score, a cross from the right was met by the incoming player on the left of the box giving Lee Thubron no chance. City still continued to dominate the game with Martina O'Flynn busy in midfield - breaking up attacks before creating chances for the fowards with Cantelo and fullback Laura MacLaughlan always an outlet.
After the break, City conceded an early goal when the defence were just unable to get enough distance on any clearence with first Thubron the Ashman clearing off the line but Town ultimatly won the goalline scramble to push the ball over from close range. Holly Parton came on to add more firepower up front and showed some neat touches while fellow substitute Nasa Eke was always calling for the ball down the right. As City pushed for a goal to get back in the game they were sometimes a bit too eager with offside decisions halting promising attacks. As has been the case all season, luck proved to be against City as even when they had the ball over the line it didn't count. A powerful, long range effort from Cleary hit the underside of the bar, crossed the goal line and bounced out again with Parton just unable to follow up to gurentee a goal. Even the Town supporters behind the goal admitted it crossed the line but it was not given. Gilbert also tried her luck from distance with a brilliant volley but somehow it was carried just over despite looking in all the way. City can be pleased with their performance here against a top of the table team but will need to start converting performances into points.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes (N. Eke, 50), C. Ashman, C. MacDonald, L. MacLaughlan (H. Parton, 50); E. Langstone (E. Bradshaw, 70), M. O'Flynn, S. Hagger, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary, S. Gilbert
Match 14:- Eastleigh 3 - 3 City
Cleary (2), Eke
Playing unbeaten and title chasing Eastleigh, City came away with a well earned point and, as testament to their recent improvements, were even disapointed not to collect all three. City conceded early in the first half as Eastleigh executed a quick counter attacking move. The rest of the first half saw the teams evenly matched with neither goalkeeper seriously tested.
Again, City started the second half brightly and forced a couple of corners before being caught on the break for a carbon copy of the first goal. The introduction of midfield dynamo Martina O'Flynn and pacey Charlie Ashman for the injured duo of Alice Cantelo and Cath MacDonald added a different dimension to City's play and this proved decisive. Sara Gilbert produced a fine run and cross from the left, Nasa Eke somehow kept the ball alive in the box allowing Bex Cleary to score from close range.
It was only a matter of moments before City had the ball in the net again - Eke and the fowards forced a now nervous Eastleigh defence to needlessly give away a corner. This allowed Emily Langstone to produce a pinpoint cross for Eke to powerfully head into the goal and her celebration matched her great goal. Gilbert was now giving the defenders a torrid time and was ably supported by Emily Bradshaw and Eke on the wings with Langstone and O'Flynn providing good support. City should really have taken the lead when Cleary somehow headed wide after a brilliant cross again from the left from Gilbert. Eke and Gilbert then combined once more, this time down the right, to give Cleary another chance and this time she finished it off with a low shot into the corner of the net to give City an unexpected but deserved lead.
Eastleigh, now trying to keep their title hopes alive after previously looking like having a comfortable lead, threw everything at City but their defence held firm. Lee Thubron in goal was brave, diving at attackers feet and into crowds of players at corners to retrieve the ball. Ashman and Sorcha Hagger kept the middle of defence solid and were ably assissted by Sam Vokes and Laura MacLaughlan, who did well to keep her discipline after some sly kicks from the foward, on the flanks. City managed to hold firm until the final minute when a corner was only half cleared and an incoming Eastleigh attacker dummied past one onrushing defender before striking an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from outside the box.
City should be proud of the point they acheived today and it is good reward for their ever improving performances against all the top teams in the league. They will need to keep their performance and confidence levels up to achieve a result against fellow mid-table team Red Star in order to climb the league table.
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes, C. MacDonald (C. Ashman, 60), S. Hagger, L. MacLaughlan; N. Eke, E. Langstone, E. Bradshaw, A. Cantelo (m. O'Flynn, 60); S. Gilbert, B. Cleary
Match 15:- Red Star 2 - 1 City
Gilbert
Team:- L. Thubron; S. Vokes (S. Lewis, 80), S. Hagger, C. Ashman, L. MacLaughlan; N. Eke, E. Langstone (C. MacDonald, 10), E. Bradshaw, A. Cantelo; B. Cleary, S. Gilbert