Men's 1st XI vs Staines 1

Missing three key defenders was not an ideal squad to take on second-placed Staines and Winchester ultimately paid the price despite missing key opportunities.

The dominant force in the opening minutes was the unexpected, lashing rain that drenched the players and their supporters. This made fine technical skills less than perfect, but Winchester were able to craft early chances. Rob Craddock was inches away from turning in a left wing cross from the left and Kieran Molloy saw his well-struck shot turned away by Staines's Combined Services goalkeeper. Winchester's keeper Seb Eaton had only one, straightforward save to make in the first thirty minutes, but his second touch was to take the ball out of his own net as Staines broke the deadlock with a well taken effort.

Winchester's make-piece defence of skipper Nick Clark, Adam Major and Matt Richman generally held firm against the visitors who had started to take control of the game, punishing Winchester for misplaced passes. However, they could not prevent Staines's second goal early in the second half, again a well taken field goal. This seemed to up Winchester's level of determination and a string of penalty corners marshalled by Ben Hibberd saw the third attempt forced over the line by Kieran Molloy to give them real hope of recovery. The dangerous Ed Kilpatrick burst out of midfield to send a shot just past the far post with the diving Molloy unable to turn in. As is so often the case, Winchester's drive for an equaliser left them exposed at the back to Staines who put the game out of reach with their third from a rapid counter attack.

Their third successive home game on Saturday 13th at 2pm at Kings School will see Winchester take on league leaders and local rivals Trojans who have a 100% record at the half way stage of the season.