A Wizard Match in January
The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the wind was cold – and our Vets Wizards took to the UoW pitch with our fine umpires Steve and Percy getting the match underway promptly.
Winchester started well, with good periods of possession and consistent play from the central spine of centre back Rob Churcher, Ben Blackmore in the middle and centre forward Ben Shaughnessy controlling the game, with only an occasional Newbury break to trouble the defence. After 20 minutes the Winchester pressure paid off; Ben Shaughnessy collected the ball in the D striking a high-level ball and rocketed it into the back of the Newbury net to take the lead.
Although Newbury kept pushing back into the Winchester half, it was a series of Winchester penalty corners, initially hitting blanks from different routines, before a saved Shaughnessy shot was pushed back past the keeper by Patrick Sacco to deliver a 2-0 halftime lead.
In the second half Winchester continued to dominate, releasing Newbury of possession, with Richard Penrose making many penetrating runs towards the Newbury goal before an awkward fall while breaking once again into the Newbury D, required substitution. Richard played a fantastic game as normal, showing excellent close control and we wish him a speedy recovery.
A further battery of penalty corners for the Winchester side eventually resulted in a shot stopped on the line by a Newbury foot, and the resultant penalty flick calmly powered home by Shaughnessy to score again.
Although Newbury countered with a consolation goal, this was a commanding Winchester performance against a skilled Newbury side that Wizards had recently lost to in a post xmas friendly.
Special mention goes to Tony and Doc at the back and to Justin Smith in goal. A great win - onwards and upwards. Come on you Mighty Wizards!
The match was well umpired. A big thank you Steve and L Percy as without them the game wouldn't start. It is also not an easy job to keep 30 over 50s (and Ben!) happy at the best of times – but they did 😊.
Winchester Wizards 3 – Newbury & Thatcham 1