Stoneham Tournament December 4th, 2024
Squad: Andy Bramley, Ian Dowson, John Hall (GK), Geoff Holtom (GK), Barry Poffley (GK), Paul Reade (GK), Eugene Wills
We were placed in Ligue 1 - 5 teams - 4 matches ranging from 16 minutes to 20 minutes each in duration. Martin was unavailable so 4 players took a turn in goal
Vs Bournemouth Blues Won 1 - 0.
A tight game with few clear chances in the first half. Halfway through the second half Eugene passed up to Andy who passed out to Paul - Paul laid it off to Ian who scored from distance on the left-hand side. The Winchester defence held firm - only one Bournemouth shot troubled Barry in goal who managed to scoop/fumble it over the bar. Ian (1)
Vs Wyvern Walkers Won 2 - 1.
All the goals and incidents came in the first half. Wyvern took a long shot at goal which Geoff stretched for to tip it upwards but unfortunately it fell in the goal. Winchester felt hard done by as the ball seemed to be over crossbar height when Geoff touched it. After going 1-0 down, Winchester had a period of dominance and felt unlucky not to be given a penalty when the Wyvern keeper picked up the ball outside the line of the penalty marker discs but it's very difficult to tell how large the arc of the line is. A minute later Winchester were awarded a controversial penalty with the Wyvern keeper adjudged to have come out of his area - Barry scored off the inside of the post. Just before half-time Andy took a corner to Barry who gave a short pass to Ian. Ian dummied to shoot and then placed it neatly into the right-hand corner. Winchester then managed the game well with neat passing in midfield (Andy, Ian, John, Paul) and the defence of Eugene and Geoff in goal held firm. Barry (1) Ian (1)
Vs Gosport Crusaders Won 1 - 0.
Several good saves by John in goal kept the game scoreless. In the second half a Gosport pass was intercepted on the half-way line rebounding to Barry who was clear advancing on goal - sliding the ball past the Gosport keeper at the near post. Again Winchester held firm to see out a win. Barry (1)
Vs Southampton Strollers Won 1-0
Winchester had several scoring opportunities but only converted one. A neat pass by Geoff down the right-wing to Barry who walked past the defender to the bye-line, cutting the ball back to Ian who scored neatly at the near post. Paul made a number of stops and Winchester held out for the win. Ian (1)
Good defensive work by Eugene at the back and across the midfield meant we only conceded one goal in the tournament - each game was tight and won by a one goal margin. A comment was made afterwards regarding how well the team passed the ball around.
Played 4 - Won 4.
Winchester won the tournament - their fifth successive tournament success at Stoneham and a good way to round off the tournament calendar year.
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