Match Report by Jools Thomas

FC’s 1-0 defeat against a spirited Winslow United team will tell manager Davis Haule so much more than a comfortable win. Missing important first teamers Jeanmal Prosper, Jonny Montgomery, Kieron Schmidt, Alex O'Brien, Ty Deacon and Ben Stevens, this gave several trialists and fringe team players the opportunity to impress. A goal as early as the 5th minute settled this contest but as is usual it was the performance more so than the result that was important.

Winslow grabbed the only goal when they attacked past a sleeping FC defence with a shot being fired past keeper James Weatherill and into the bottom corner of the net. Aston Goss saw a strike on five minutes blocked by a defender before a cross shot from wide on the Winslow right, saw Weatherill touch it to safety.

Davis and Brian Haule combined to challenge the away keeper on 40 minutes. In the final action of the half, FC’s Azeez Alabi tried a speculative overhead kick, which unfortunately came to nothing.

The second half saw wholesale changes, as is often the case in friendlies. Almost from the restart, Harry Scott saw his far post effort tipped away by the Winslow keeper closely followed by a low Brian Haule shot which the keeper managed to block with his feet. Jordan Jenkins had a header just wide of the post as FC gained a firm grip on the match. Another headed attempt by Matt Cruse flew over the bar in an attempt to find the equaliser. A Winslow attack saw FC’s second half keeper Ashley Jenkins do just enough thereby forcing the striker wide.

Ben Bateman’s looping cross on 77 minutes was the nearest that FC came to scoring. It looked to be crossing the line but a last ditch clearance by Winslow’s Kevin Mealor kept the scoreline intact and despite a couple of half chances, it was the Spartan League side who claimed the victory.

Match Squad
1. James Weatherill
1. Ashley Jenkins
2. Anthony Ball
5. Craig Carby
6. Michael Curtis
7. Malik Smith
8. Davis Haule
9. Kenny Emmanuel
10. Aston Goss
11. Harry Scott
12. Marvyn Watson
13. Ryan Marsden
14. Tyriq Hunte
15. Sam Whiting
16. Matt Cruse
17. Nial Francis
18. Melvy Nsomi
19. Ben Bateman
20. Brian Haule
21. Jordan Jenkins
22. Kerran Lataille
23. Azeez Alabi