Match Report: Moneyfields 2-0 Winchester City Flyers (21.10.18)

Last weekend I got to visit one of my former teams, Winchester City Flyers, as they faced Moneyfields FC Ladies in the Hampshire FA Challenge Cup. Moneyfields are riding high in the Southern Region Women’s Football League Southern Division, one league below their opposition. Although them coming out as victors wouldn’t be as big of an upset as their league position would have you believe. Moneyfields have been smashing their way through their opposition since they were formed in 2017/18 and I’m confident that it won’t be long until they are promoted to the SRWFL’s Premier Division next year.

Steve Butterworth is now the first-team manager at Winchester after Allan Higgs moved to take over the Reserve side. Winchester were looking to continue their good early season form which saw them beat Southampton Saints Ladies on penalties in the Southampton DFA Women’s Cup.

For the opening ten minutes of the match, Winchester looked the brighter of the two sides and didn’t allow Moneyfields any time on the ball. Hannah Chaffey had the best of the early chances when put through on goal but she failed to finish passed Sally-Ann Thompson in the Moneyfields goal.

Moneyfields began to get themselves into the game and had a good chance to go ahead when Katie Shorter squared the ball across to Kimberley Stenning but she couldn’t quite make up the ground to guide the ball into the net. Not long after, Shorter had a chance herself but the shot failed to trouble Lauren Higgs in the Winchester goal as it sailed comfortably over.

The first half finished with no goals for either side. Winchester were solid at the back and will be happy with how they have only mainly restricted Moneyfields to half chances. Moneyfields’ manager Karl Walton may have felt that had his side been a little sharper then they would have gone into the break with a lead.

Winchester Flyers' Lauren Higgs takes a goal kick

After the break, Moneyfields quickly began to put pressure on Winchester. Kimberley Whitcombe had the best chance of the game for Moneyfields, her low shot rolled inches away from the far post.

Winchester were solid in defence and Moneyfields were having to work hard to try and find a breakthrough. Winchester’s right back, Lauren Pearce, and Moneyfields’ left winger Becky Bath were having an almighty battle between them. Chaffey, one of Winchester’s most dangerous players, was often forced to pick the ball up from deep into her own half making it difficult to be effective in attacking areas.

The first goal of the game came with a bit of fortune, Katie George‘s effort from inside the box took a deflection and Higgs was only able to get a slight hand to it. Winchester had to pick themselves up and brought on Cesca Thornton and Katie Johns to support Beth Norman, who had become a bit isolated up front.

Chaffey and Norman combined and nearly level things up. Chaffey dribbled through three Moneyfields defenders and put in Norman but she was unable to find the equaliser. Moneyfields broke quickly and looked dangerous but Pearce was able to deal with it the threat comfortably.

Stenning nearly scored a superb second. With her back to goal, she took down a cross with her left foot, spun quickly and unleashed a shot with her right but sadly for her, it was always going over but her great technic deserved a goal.

Higgs pulled up with an injury took forced Winchester down to ten players. Club captain Charlotte Warhurst donned the gloves for the final 10-15 minutes. There was little she could do about Stenning’s goal which effectively killed the game off.

Winchester rallied and Norman had the chance to pull one back but put the ball over the crossbar. Warhurst was called into action again, making a great reaction save but also taking a wallop from the post in the process.

Despite a bright and solid first half by Winchester, Moneyfields were good value for the win and will face Rushmoor Community Women in the second round.

Moneyfields: Rebecca Bath, Rebecca Davis, Katie George, Melissa Lawrence, Paige Seeley, Katie Shorter, Kimberley Stenning, Sally-Anne Thompson, Kira Vallely, Kimberley Whitcombe, Kerri Why
Subs: Leanne Lapham

Winchester City Flyers: Lauren Higgs, Lisbeth Mottashed, Payton Howard, Charlotte Warhurst, Sarah Butterworth, Lauren Pearce, Bryony Morrell, Charlie Snelling, Jenny Arundell, Beth Norman, Hannah Chaffey
Subs: Francesca Thornton, Katie Johns, Katie Beecroft

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