Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South

Tuesday 14th March 2023

Winchester City 4  Beaconsfield Town 0

The Charters Community Stadium - Attendance 337

Ram of the match - Kie Plumley 

The new manager bounce was always likely to come to an end at some point but the manner of Neil Baker and Jon Underwood’s first defeat in their Sixth match in charge still came as something of a surprise.

The Rams never got to grips with the conditions the pitch or the officiating and the contest was effectively over after 27 minutes, when Oliver Balmer curled a delicious freekick over the defensive wall and into Kie Plumleys top corner as the young keeper grasped at the air.

Plumley was probably still reeling from the previous goal a minute earlier, where Warren Bentley delivered a sublime forecheck on the young keeper as he attempted to collect a corner. Once impeded Plumley could do nothing but palm the door down in front of him and Simbarashe Miambo gleefully volleyed the ball home from 6 yards.

Mr Ryan saw nothing wrong with the challenge, which probably deals succinctly with the question, “I wonder if he still refs in the national league?”

It was a bemusing decision on an afternoon full of them but In fairness it wasn’t like the goal wasn't coming.

Plumley had already made two smart saves to deny Balmer, plunging low to turn away a near post effort and pushing away a goalbound downard header from Patrick Nolan.

After the second goal Plumley was again in the action diving to his right to deflect Jack Tomianien’s cross shot wide of the post.

Getting to the break no worse off gave some cause for hope.

Half Time 0-2

As any football fan knows, its the hope that kills you.

Beaconsfield started the second period with a brief flurry that quickly fizzled out with nothing to show for it.

Charlie Philpott in the home goal could probably have gone for a shower and gone home after 50 minutes for all that he was involved.

The home side added further goals from Callum Baughan and Miambo who picked up his secong in the 81st minute.

So on top were they, that, had they been more clinical the homeside could have run up a cricket score. 

A day best forgotten for The Rams who will need to be back to their very best next week end when Truro come to Holloways Park with top spot on their minds as Weston falter in front.

If The Rams turn in a performance like this one it will be a long afternoon, probably longer even than yesterday.   

Beaconsfield Town :

Kie Plumley, Callum Webb, Toby Little[Sub Ollie Sprague 80], Sam Togwell, Luke Neville [Sub Lucas Sinclair 66], Lewis Pegg, Sam Granville, Dan Bradshaw, Nathan Minhas, Elliott Buchanan, Kyel Reid [Sub Antoine Makoli 66]

Subs Not Used - Charlie Smith, Kai Allsopp

Winchester City

Charlie Philpott, Dan King, Max Smith, Max Smith, Robert Jamison, Patrick Nolan [Sub Archie Wilcox 86], Jack Tomianien, Jamie Barron© [Sub Oliver Griggs 85] Simbarashe Miambo, Warren Bentley [Luke King 76], Oliver Balmer

Subs Not Used; Ik Hill, Callum Chugg

 

Referee -   Michael Ryan          

 

All images ©Neale Blackburn 2023

Full game images - HERE