Friday, 25 October 2023, friendly at Frimley

 

Frimley hosted Winchester where we fielded a squad of seven and played four games against two teams from the home club.

Mark Wilkinson scored all three goals in the first match for Winchester to seal a 3-2 victory.

Wilkinson was again on target with the only goal of the second match in a 1-0 win.

The third game against the first opponents finished 0-0, and in a shortened fourth match against the second team was also goalless.

Sue Hume suffered a blow to the face in the final match after a shot ricocheted into her and knocked off her spectacles.

Barry Poffley was in goal for the first match, John Hall for the second and fourth, and Brian Mustoe for the third.

Squad: John Hall, Sue Hume, Brian Mustoe, Barry Poffley, Mark Wilkinson, Eugene Wills, Fiona Willsher.

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Wednesday 4 October 2023, Hampshire FA walking football tournament at Stoneham

 

Winchester were placed in Serie A alongside Salisbury Reds, Pompey ITC Purples and New Milton. Each team played three x 18 minute games with a two minute halftime interval.

Salisbury defeated Pompey 1-0 in the opening match before Winchester faced New Milton who led 1-0 at the break with a well-struck goal. However Ian Dowson intercepted to scramble an equaliser early in the second period and Steve Nash thumped in the Winchester winner shortly before the end.

New Milton were immediately back in action and crashed to a 4-0 defeat against Pompey and Winchester then suffered a similar score line against Salisbury.

Salisbury clinched their third victory with a 2-0 win over New Milton.

The final match saw Pompey take a two goal lead over Winchester for whom Dowson scored a late consolation goal.

John Hall made his Winchester debut in the competition filling the defensive role while Steve Lawson was again goal and played every minute. All the outfield players spent half a match as substitute.

Salisbury finished top, Pompey second, Winchester third and New Milton fourth.

Squad: Phil Courtney, Ian Dowson, John Hall, Steve Lawson, Brian Mustoe, Steve Nash and Eugene Wills.

Reporter B Mustoe

 

Saturday 16 September,  2023 tournament at Gosport

Winchester were invited to compete in an eight team tournament at Gosport and played every team once in six-a-side matches last 12 minutes. Some clubs had the maximum squad of 10 with rolling subs but we fielded eight players.

The opening match Winchester lost 2-0 to Tadley, but goalkeeper Steve Lawson kept a clean sheet in the second and Winchester collected their first point with a goalless draw against Farnham. It was the first time the club had faced either of their opponents.

The third game was against Frimley and Winchester suffered a 3-0 defeat but bounced back to draw 1-1 with Gosport Yellows thanks to a cracking goal from Phil Courtney.

Next up were Gosport Greens when Mark Wilkinson grabbed a couple and Courtney also scored again.

The penultimate game was against unbeaten Havant Hawks and Winchester competed tenaciously to earn their second goalless draw of the afternoon.

Mountbatten (Portsmouth based) provided the final opposition and Winchester again went down to a single goal.

Jeff Lough was injured and unable to play in the final three matches.

Squad: Steve Lawson, David Kirkby, Jeff Lough, Heather Kirkland, Phil Courtney, Mark Wilkinson, Brian Mustoe, Eugene Wills.

Table: 1 Hawks 17pts; 2 Tadley 12; 3 Frimley 10 on goal difference from Mountbatten 10; 5 Farnham 7; 6 Winchester 6; 7 Gosport Yellows 5; 8 Gosport Greens 3.

See squad photo here.

Reporter Brian M

 

 

Friday 9 September, 2023, friendly v Knightwood

Winchester had a minimum squad of seven for two seven-a-side games of 30 minutes against Knightwood at Warsash Wasps ground with the temperature approaching 30deg centigrade.

The lack of a substitute took its toll as Winchester included three over 70s while the hosts frequently rotated their players.

Knightwood took the lead in the opening match following a free kick midway through the first half and added two more in the second period for a 3-0 win.

Winchester scored first in the second game with a goal from Ian Dowson but Knightwood eventually equalised and then went on to grab the winner to complete a double success.

Winchester shared the goalkeeper duties between Brian Mustoe, David Kirkby, Barry Poffley and Phil Courtney, while the remaining three of the team Jeff Lough, Heather Kirkland and Dowson were in play for the full 60 minutes.

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Reporter Brian M

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Friday, 21 July 2023, friendly v Southampton Strollers

This was a seven-a-side match at the University Stadium, of four quarters of 12 minutes each, with rolling subs which Winchester made at the end of each quarter.

Winchester took the lead in the first quarter through Steve Byrne, with the final pass from Brian Mustoe.

For the second quarter, Mustoe, Steve Nash, Barry Poffley and David Kirkby were replaced by Jeff Lough, John Hall, Dave Corcoran and Richard Tate and the score remained 1-0 to halftime.

Mustoe switched with Lough at the interval, and Southampton equalised and then took the lead with two goals by Mark Wilkinson, on loan from Winchester.

For the final quarter, Richard Walker came out of goal to assume Byrne’s striker role, Turner wore the keeper’s gloves, Kirkby resumed in defence, and Poffley and Nash replaced Mustoe and Tate.

Corcoran scored his first goal for the club early in the final period and the score remained 2-2 to the end.

Squad: Steve Byrne, Dave Corcoran, John Hall, David Kirkby, Jeff Lough, Brian Mustoe, Steve Nash, Barry Poffley, Richard Tate, Mick Turner, Richard Walker. Referee: Heather Kirkland. Supporting, Fiona Willsher and Sue Hume.

 

 

 

Wednesday 28 June, 2023, friendly v Totton Raiders

Winchester entertained Totton Raiders in a seven-a-side friendly of four quarters of 15 minutes.

The early stages were very even, but Winchester finally took the lead just before halftime when Barry Poffley converted a penalty after a Raiders’ defender encroached in the goal area.

At the interval goalkeeper Steve Nash switched to midfield, replaced by Brian Mustoe who had been up front.

Winchester quickly scored two more as striker Poffley completed his hat trick. Totton pulled one back but the home team cruised to a comfortable victory as Poffley grabbed two more and Phil Courtney hit the sixth.

Jeff Lough, Ian Dowson and Eugene Wills shared the roll of substitutes.

Squad: Phil Courtney, Ian Dowson, Jeff Lough, Brian Mustoe, Steve Nash, Barry Poffley, Mick Turner, Eugene Wills. Supported by David Kirkby and Fiona Wilsher. Referee: Heather Kirkland.

Reporter: Brian M

 

Sunday 25 June, 2023, Havant Hawks six-a-side tournament

Winchester were invited to take part in a six-a-side tournament held at Havant and Waterloovile FC ground.

There were seven matches of 15 minutes, with no halftime but rolling substitutions allowed.

Winchester won their first match, defeating Hawks Originals 1-0, with Steve Nash scoring. Brian Mustoe was in goal and Jeff Lough and Fiona Wilsher were unused substitutes.

The second match was against Gosport, Barry Poffley switching with Mustoe to goalkeeper and Nash and Ian Dowson making way for Lough and Willsher. Lough put Winchester ahead but after he and Willsher were both warned twice for running they were replaced by Dowson and Nash who then added a second goal for a 2-0 win.

For the third game David Kirkby went in goal while Mustoe and Willsher remained unused subs. Hawks took the lead and in the last minute Nash scored for the third consecutive match to earn a 1-1 draw.

Nash went in goal for the fourth game against Mountbatten (from Portsmouth) and Dowson scored the only goal in the third minute. He and Poffley both picked up a couple of warnings for running and were replaced by subs Lough and Wills.

Mustoe was back in goal for the fifth game against Cove and Nash was on the scoresheet once more but Cove equalised. Willsher took a nasty tumble as she made a challenge and was replaced by Kirkby. She was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital where it was revealed later she had dislocated and broken her left arm and possibly chipped an ankle bone. Dowson was an unused sub.

Poffley returned to goalkeeping duties for the final two matches. Wills scored against Bognor in the opening minute with the outside of his right foot and it finished 1-0, Lough was an unused sub.

He returned in place of Mustoe for the final match against Bracknell who later came on after Nash took a nasty fall. Bracknell maintained their 100 per cent record in the competition with a solitary goal ensuring the victory and finishing on 21 points.

Winchester finished on 14 points, the same as Cove who took second place thanks to a superior goal difference of eight compared to Winchester’s four.

Hawks were fourth on 13 points, Bognor fifth on five, Hawks Originals and Gosport were level on four points the former having a better goal difference of -8 compared to Gosport’s -13. Mountbatten finished eighth on three points.

Squad: Ian Dowson, David Kirkby, Jeff Lough, Brian Mustoe, Steve Nash, Barry Poffley, Eugene Wills, Fiona Wilsher. Supported by Heather Kirkland.

See squad photo here.

Reporter: Brian M

 

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Thursday 18 May, 2023 friendly against Knightwood Park

We played two games of 25 minutes, with a halftime break.

Ian Dowson put us ahead in the first match and Brian Mustoe added a second before halftime.

However, Knightwood fought back to equalise in the second half and the game finished 2-2.

Mustoe opened the scoring in the second match and Richard Walker saved a penalty. Walker had to leave at halftime and Dave Corcoran proved an adequate replacement as we held on to win 1-0.

Squad: Ian Dowson, Brian Mustoe, Richard Walker, Steve Nash, Phil Courtney, Simon Davitt, Dave Corcoran. Support from David Kirkby, Fiona Wilsher.

See Gallery for joint photo.

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Wednesday 3 May, 2023 Hampshire FA walking football tournament

The standard seems to be getting higher. Winchester were in La Liga.

Winchester lost the opening game 2-0 to Pompey ITC, but thanks to a Bournemouth defender turning an Ian Dowson cross into his own net Winchester won the second 1-0.

The third game Salisbury won 3-0, and finally Winchester lost 2-1 to Gosport Yellows. Dowson scoring for Winchester.

Winchester finished fourth of five.

Squad: Barry Poffley, Ian Dowson, Fiona Wilsher, Richard Walker, David Kirkby, Simon Davitt, Jeff Lough.

 

La Liga

Position Team         Points Goal Difference (+/-)

1.) Salisbury           12                   +7

2.) Pompey ITC        9                   +4

3.) Gosport Yellows  6                    -1

4.) Winchester          3                    -5

5.)Bournemouth Reds 0                 -5

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Sunday 23 April, 2023, WFA Over 60s national cup first round

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Winchester hosted Portsmouth ITC (in the Community) at the university stadium and suffered a heavy 6-2 defeat.

Winchester opened the scoring after two minutes through Eugene Wills with a shot from the right. Howard Payne scored a penalty for the visitors but was disallowed for stepping back. Martin Kukla scored a second for Winchester, but was disallowed for running before Payne shot wide. Wills was given a second warning for running on 10 minutes and was substituted with Brian Mustoe.

 

Pompey equalised after 11 minutes when a free kick was passed to Andy Olive to score. Richard Walker replaced Kukla who had collected a second warning. Three minutes later Payne held off a challenge from David Kirkby to give Pompey the lead.

Good play in midfield by Steve Nash enabled him to feed Mustoe on the right for a shot which was just wide of the far post. On the stroke of half-time George White dribbled past two defenders to score Pompey's third from the edge of the circle.

Wills and Kukla both resumed for Winchester at the start of the second half and Pompey immediately had a goal ruled out because the player was in the area. Kukla was wide with another shot for Winchester.

In the 24th minute Pompey intercepted and Payne struck goal number four. A minute later Wills was sin-binned for two minutes for a third offence.

On his return Wills and Kukla both shot wide before Nash created a chance for Kukla to score Winchester's second after 31 minutes.

Ian Dowson had a shot deflected for a corner but then Pompey upped the tempo with smart passing and added two more in quick succession through Payne, for his hat trick, and Bob Silk.

Kukla became the second Winchester player to be sin-binned.

It was later discovered that sometime during the match the Winchester goalkeeper Steve Lawson had lacerated the tendon of his left hand ring finger.

Squad: Steve Lawson, David Kirkby, Eugene Wills, Steve Nash, Ian Dowson, Martin Kukla, Brian Mustoe, Richard Walker, Jeff Lough.

 

Reporter Brian M

 

 

Friday 21 April, 2023, Friendlies against Bournemouth

 

Winchester hosted Bournemouth in a five-a-side event at the university stadium when both clubs fielded two teams in matches of 14 minutes each way played in heavy rain.

Winchester Red drew their first game against Bournemouth Red, 0-0; while Winchester Yellow lost 3-1 to Bournemouth Black, Steve Byrne scoring.

Winchester Red then defeated Bournemouth Black 3-2 with goals from Richard Walker (2) and Eugene Wills while Winchester Yellow were also winners against Bournemouth Red when an own goal and Brian Mustoe scored.

Winchester Red: Sue Hume, Steve Nash, Richard Tate, Eugene Wills, Richard Walker.

Winchester Yellow: Steve Byrne, Ian Dowson, Peter Jennings, Jeff Lough, Brian Mustoe.

Fiona Willsher guested for Bournemouth Black and scored against the Yellows.

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Reporter Brian M

 

Saturday 15 April, 2023, Southampton Striders tournament

 

Winchester took part in a seven-a-side over 50s tournament at Southampton, competing in three first round games of 20 minutes.

They lost 1-0 to both Bexley and Portsmouth ITC and drew 0-0 with the hosts.

The two victorious teams met in the playoff final which Bexley won. Winchester faced Striders again to decide third and fourth place. It was another goalless draw and went to penalties which Winchester lost.

Squad: Barry Poffley, Ian Dowson, Martin Kukla, Jeff Lough, Brian Mustoe, Richard Walker, Fiona Willsher and Gunnar Roath (guest from Eastleigh).

 

Reporter Brian M

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Wednesday 5 April, 2023 Hampshire FA walking football tournament

Winchester were in La Liga.

Despite a great goal by Martin Kukla Winchester lost the first game to Gosport Yellow 2-1. However Ian Dowson and Barry Poffley were both on target in the second match as Winchester defeated Gosport Black 2-0. Kukla scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Totton Raiders, and the final two matches against Knightwood Park and Bournemouth were goalless draws.

Knightwood finished top and Winchester came third of six, using four different keepers who all kept clean sheets.

Squad: Barry Poffley, Ian Dowson, Martin Kukla, Fiona Wilsher, Phil Courtney, Simon Davitt, Jeff Lough, Dave Corcoran. Supported by Heather Kirkland.

 

La Liga

 

Position Team               Points Goal Difference (+/-)

1.) Gosport WFC Yellows13             +5

2.) Knightwood Park        11             +6

3.)Winchester                    8             +3

4.)Raiders                         4              -3

5.)Bournemouth WFC      3              -2

6.)Gosport WFC Blacks   1              -9

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Wednesday 1 March 2023 Hampshire FA Walking Football Tournament

 

Winchester again had a squad of only six, including Steve Lawson and Phil Courtney making their debuts.

Winchester were placed in Serie A and played four 20 minute matches, each consisting of two halves. The opening fixture was against Eastleigh Blue and although Winchester played some good passing in an even contest, went down to a single goal early in the second half.

Gosport opened the scoring in the second match, but Steve Nash hit a quick double just before the break for an interval lead. But Gosport equalised early in the second half before Nash completed his hat trick and Fiona Willsher smashed a thunderbolt into the top right hand corner two minutes from the end for a 4-2 success.

Brian Mustoe fired Winchester into an early lead against Hawks in the third match, but once more it was an even affair although Hawks scored twice before half-time for a 2-1 lead. Both sides went close in the second half but failed to score and Lawson continued to make several good saves.

The final match was against Bournemouth, with Mustoe in goal and Lawson switching to midfield. A good passing move in the third minute resulted in a goal from the left by Courtney and then Lawson hit the post. Bournemouth also hit the bar before grabbing an equaliser in the 15th minute and it ended 1-1.

Squad: Phil Courtney, Dave Kirkby, Steve Lawson, Brian Mustoe, Steve Nash, Fiona Willsher. Supported by Barry Poffley.  See squad photo here.

 

Wednesday 8 February 2023 Hampshire FA Walking Football Tournament

 

Winchester finished fifth in Serie A after playing five 14 minute matches with a squad of six.

Hawks took a rapid 4-0 lead before half-time in the first game and although Barry Poffley pulled one back Winchester lost 4-1. There was a further 2-0 defeat at the hands of Pompey.

Unbeaten Salisbury took a 2-0 lead in the third game before Winchester finally got into their stride and turned it around in the second half to win 3-2 with goals by, Steve Byrne, Fiona Willsher and Richard Walker. Walker found the net again in the next match against Eastleigh Blue as did Ian Dowson for a 2-0 victory.

The final match was against unbeaten Compton who scored the only goal of the game.

Squad: Steve Byrne, Ian Dowson, Brian Mustoe, Barry Poffley, Richard Walker, Fiona Willsher.

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Serie A

Position Team             Points   Goal Difference (+/-)

1.)          Compton        15            +9

2.)          Pompey ITC   10            +3

3.)          Hawks              7            +2

4.)          Salisbury          6              0

5.)         Winchester       6             -3

6.)         Eastleigh Blue  0             -9

 

 

 

Wednesday 11 January 2023 Hampshire FA Walking Football Tournament

 

For the first competition of 2023 Winchester were placed in La Liga and finished fifth of six, having played five matches.

Winchester suffered two 2-0 defeats to Bournemouth and Totton Raiders, and drew 0-0 with Gosport, 1-1 with Hawks Originals thanks to an own goal and 2-2 with Eastleigh Blue when Barry Poffley and Eugene Wills scored.

Squad: Simon Davitt, Dave Kirkby, Martin Kukla; Barry Poffley, Richard Walker, Eugene Wills, Fiona Willsher. Supported by Ian Dowson.

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La Liga

Position Team        Points     Goal Difference (+/-)

1.)      Eastleigh Blue 13            +7

2.)     Raiders             10            +5

3.)     Bournemouth      7            -1

4.)     Hawks Originals  6           +2

5.)     Winchester          3            -4

6.)     Gosport               1            -9