Gosport Over 65's Tournament 10 August 2025

Gosport Annual Tournament - 10 August 2025

Winchester Walking FC’s over-65s returned for the 3rd Annual Gosport Walking FC

Tournament with a strong squad, hoping to replicate last year’s Trophy winning success.

Winchester grew into the tournament and after an initial couple of credible 0-0 draws against

Gosport Spartans and Corinthian Casuals, they suffered their only defeat and conceded their

only goal of the tournament losing 1-0 to Frimley to a shot that took a wicked deflection that

wrong footed ‘keeper Steve Carter giving him no chance.

By now, Winchester were playing their best possession-based football of the tournament. As

the pace of the games slowed in the heat, and spaces began to open up, some lovely

patterns of play emerged. Chances also started to come thick and fast, with Graham

Newman, Eugene Wills, and Rick Parker all going close to scoring on more than one

occasion.

A fourth and final group game against Havant Hawks saw another 0-0 draw leaving

Winchester fourth in the group but allowing them to advance to the Challenge Trophy where

they faced Gosport Crusaders in the quarter-final.

Winchester were now in their groove and an emphatic 2–0 victory over Gosport Crusaders

courtesy of a brace from Steve Nash, saw them face Bognor Boulders in the Challenge

Trophy semi-final.

Unfortunately, by this time the tournament was over running, was a long way behind

schedule and had to be abandoned.

Throughout the tournament, Winchester WFC proved themselves competitive in every game

and one of the toughest sides to break down with ‘keeper Steve Carter, defenders Chris

Christian and Jeff Lough creating a solid defensive unit that over the course 5 matches

conceded just one goal.

Midfielders Rick Parker, Eugene Wills and Steve Nash worked tirelessly and their football

deserved more reward, while striker Graham Newland’s endeavour deserved at least a goal

or two.

With a little more good fortune in front of goal those three 0-0 draws might easily have

become wins giving Winchester a higher points tally in their group and a real chance of

winning the over-65s tournament.

Well done to all 7 players in the squad. We deserved more.

WWFC over-65s squad:

Steve Carter (GK), Chris Christian, Jeff Lough, Eugene Wills, Steve Nash, Rick Parker,

Graham Newland.