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West
End Saints SOUTHAMPTON Season 2002/03 |
SAINTS FAIL TO KILL A late penalty miss from Dan Egan was the final nail in the coffin for West End Saints as they drew 1-1 with Victoria Sports on Sunday in a game they really should have won. Saints were the better team throughout the whole of the ninety minutes, created more and better better chances but just could not find the killer blow, even playing against ten men for the last twenty minutes. With a rock hard pitch the game was never going to be fantastically attractive, and while West End started the stronger with some well worked moves their early encounters failed to force the Victoria keeper into any meaningful saves. At the other end Andy Collins did well to punch away a dangerous cross but was otherwise largely untroubled. The game was turning into a scrappy and hard fought affair, and some poor refereeing allowed it to turn very niggly. And it was an astoundingly bad decision that let in the away side to take the lead against the run of play. Defender Will Winfield looked to have won the ball fairly from his marker, but the referee took the unbelievable decision to award a free kick for handball on the edge of the area. The free kick struck the wall but looped up and over, and a Victoria striker was in the right place to throw a leg at the ball and see it spin in just inside the post. Feeling aggrieved at this injustice, West End upped the tempo more, with Egan and Charlie Winfield working very well up front and Tim Carling and Kev Clarke providing the inspiration in the midfield battle. Within ten minutes West End had equalised. A midfield header broke free to Aidy Gunn, and his through ball missed out Egan to send in Winfield, who rounded the keeper and slotted home with his left foot for a classy finish on the stroke of half time. The first half became more niggly and scrappy than the first, with neither side managing to form any sort of rhythm, and the performance of the referee did nothing to help this cause as he constantly held up the game with some poor decisions. Russell Soan and Will Winfield at the back were proving more than a match for the Victoria forwards as they limited them to long range shots that proved no threat to Collins' goal. West End were the much more creative of the two sides. Egan went so close when his run and shot flashed across the face of goal, the same player's header from Simon Bates' left wing cross went just wide and Andy Jones' shot was well turned round the post by the keeper As the game went on, it became more and more vocal towards the referee, with one Victoria player unfortunate to say too much and earn himself an early bath. And with just five minutes remaining Dan Egan's run through the defense was rudely interrupted by a crude challenge in the box and a spot kick awarded. It would have been unfitting of the game if a Victoria player had not made some form of exaggerated complaint to the ref, and forward stepped the away side's linesman whose flag throwing pedantics earned his side their second red card and the muppet with the flag an early walk. But the winning goal was not to be, as Egan's well placed kick was met with a very good save from the keeper to keep the sides level. With time running out, Victoria almost snatched all three points at the death, but Collins' outstanding reflex save ensured West End came away with a point that they more than deserved and worked for. The last two Saints games have seen hard fought draws against two of the top sides in the league where West End have been unfortunate to not come away with the win. While now only playing for pride in this division, Saints can take heart from these performances which prove an ideal platform for a sustained promotion attempt next season. With Whitenap losing this week, by my calculations Saints are now secure in fifth place for the season. Team: Collins; D.Sturgess, W.Winfield, Soan, Gunn; Bates, Carling, Clarke, Jones; C.Winfield, Egan. Other
Junior 1 games played this week EVEN CONTEST WITH FOUNTAIN West End produced a fighting display, twice coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Fountain Inn at home on Sunday. In an attractive game played in the brilliant spring sunshine, Saints were behind very early to a fluke goal. The Fountain left back sent in a hopeful cross, and everyone watched as it looped over West End keeper Andy Collins and just inside his post. Saints responded well and earned their equaliser as Will Winfield, filling in at right back, produced a rampaging run up the flank and delivered a cross to Dan Egan, whose first time shot gave the keeper no chance. The remainder of the first half and the majority of the second were a relatively even affair, with chances for both sides. But just as it looked as if the game could be headed for a draw, James Mildon produced another of his defensive clangers. With no real threat to goal, his clumsy challenge into the back of the Fountain striker gave the away team a penalty, which they duly converted to take the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock. It was to West End's credit that they battled back, and the hard work of Egan again paid off. He robbed the Fountain centre-half, and as the loose ball found its way to George Winfield the lofty striker stroked his shot past the keeper for his 20th goal of the season and a final 2-2 scoreline. Team: Collins; W.Winfield, Mildon, Soan, Gunn; C.Winfield, (D.Sturgess 60), Carling, Carter, Bates; G.Winfield, Egan. Other
Junior 1 games played this week SAINTS TOO STRONG FOR CITY Despite not being at their best, West End Saints pulled off a 4-2 home victory over Southampton City on Sunday. Will Winfield and James Mildon both returned to a 3 man central defensive line alongside recent new recruit Russell Soan, but West End were denied the services of Charlie Winfield, Jamie Sturgess, Andy Jones and Aidy Gunn. Grahame Carter made his WES debut in central midfield as Dan Egan continued his little and large act with George Winfield up front. And it was Egan who opened the scoring for Saints, reacting first in a goalmouth melee to prod home Simon Bates' knock down header. Perhaps Will Winfield still had the bright lights of Las Vegas in his eyes when he inadvertently deflected a cross into the Saints box past his own keeper for a classic own goal to add to his season's collection of comedy gaffes. And Saints soon found themselves 2-1 down, their offside trap torn apart. It could have been 4 or even 5 by half time but for the heroics of Andy Collins in the West End goal, who pulled off a series of magnificent saves. Following the interval, a sublime flick from Egan with the outside of his boot sent Treadmill Winfield through on goal, and the Saints' top scorer clinically dispatched his shot past the keeper to even the scores up. And Egan was the provider again for Saints' third. After his initial shot on goal was parried, his toe poked pass found Stuart Feest whose shot was perhaps less powerful than he intended but had just enough on it to dribble over the line. James Mildon decided to try and make his mate Will Winfield feel a little better by providing a cock-up himself when he managed to tumble like a clown over the ball to hand City a good scoring chance, but the resulting shot hit the side netting. Big George was not amused. Saints wrapped up the points though when new-boy Carter, who impressed throughout the game, sent through George Winfield for his second of the match. Team: Collins;
W.Winfield, Mildon, Soan; Feest (D.Sturgess 60), Carling, Carter, Clarke Other
Junior 1 games played this week WEST END WALLOP WHITENAP Scorers: G.Winfield (pen), C.Winfield, Egan. Booked: W.Winfield (dissent), Gunn (ridiculous hack). Team: Crook; D.Sturgess (Feest 50), W.Winfield, Mildon, Gunn; C.Winfield, Carling, Bates, Jones; G.Winfield, Egan. Other
Junior 1 games played this week FINAL CUP EXIT FOR SAINTS West End Saints' poor run of form continued as they crashed out of the 4th round of the Southampton Junior A Cup with a 4-2 away defeat to Newton Heath on Sunday. Once more Saints held the lead at half-time, only to give up their advantage with a tepid second-half display. With Tim Carling still out injured, Simon Bates filled in the central midfieLd spot with his old mucker Dan Egan, and Dave Sturgess came in at right back as Stuart Crook donned the gloves again in goal. With Jamie Sturgess also out injured, Stuart Feest won a rare outing up front. In wet and windy conditions, West End got off to the worst possible start by conceding a goal in the opening minutes. But they soon battled their way back, and found an equaliser when Dave Sturgess's overlapping run and cross found Egan, whose powered his headed effort into the back of the net. And Saints took the lead soon after, again Sturgess the provider, this time his pass sending George Winfield through for the lofty striker to notch his 14th goal of the season. Following the half-time turnaround West End came out full of confidence, and could have increased their lead with any number of chances in the first fifteen minutes as they laid siege to their opponents' goal. But Saints paid for not taking their chances, as Newton Heath surged upfield to find an equaliser, through some sloppy West End defending. And Saints were soon behind, when a free kick was swung into the box and headed home. The game was wrapped up with the last kick of the game, again more sloppy defending from Saints allowing a corner to be prodded in from close range to secure the final 4-2 scoreline. Having now been eliminated from all cup competitions, Saints can perhaps take some consolation from the fact that they can now focus on their league form to ensure survival in division 1. But James Mildon will have cause for concern as his disciplinary problems get worse and worse, this game earning the hapless stopper another booking to add to his season's miserable collection of cards. No other Junior 1 games played this week NO REVENGE FOR SAINTS West End Saints lost to Fountain Inn for the second consecutive game on Sunday, surrendering a 2-0 lead to add league defeat to last week's cup loss. Saints' took the lead early on when Dan Egan's cross from the right found Jamie Sturgess, and the pint sized striker made no mistake with his close range header. And West End doubled their lead when a hopeful punt upfield from Clogger Mildon somehow found its way to the feet of Charlie Winfield, whose acute shot from the right found the back of the net. Fountain pulled one back with a header which goalkeeper Stuart Crook managed to get his hand to but could not prevent from crossing the line, but West End held their advantage into half time. Within minutes of the restart, however, the scores were level as some disappointing Saints defending from a corner let in a sloppy close range effort. And West End fell behind ten minutes later when Aidy Gunn was outpaced by his marker to fire home. The capitulation continued when some more sloppy marking from a cross into the West End box allowed Fountain in for their fourth. Saints pulled one back when Egan's ball found Will Winfield and the burly defender's first time shot found the net, but Fountain soon re-established their two goal cushion, courtesy of some more keystone cops style defending from a corner. Saints had time to pull one back through Andy Jones with the goal of the game, a sweet 25 yard left foot shot, but the equaliser was not to be and Fountain went away with all three points. Other
Junior 1 games played this week: TWO OFF IN FEISTY CUP ENCOUNTER West End Saints crashed out of the DR Ryder Trophy on Sunday with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fountain Inn in a game that started badly, had a brawl midway through the second half and finished with a player from either side sent off. James Mildon's appalling challenge provoked unwelcome fighting scenes on the pitch as a number of players from either side became involved in the melee to try and restore the calm as Mildon was sent from the pitch along with his revenge-seeking assailant. This unfortunate incident compounded what had been a poor display from West End, who never really looked likely of causing an upset over their opponents. Saints were under the cosh from the start, playing against a significant slope as well as some excellent passing football from Fountain. The sterling defensive work of Mildon and Will Winfield repelled the home side as they enjoyed the majority of the play, and West End were forced to attack on the break. George Winfield and Jamie Sturgess both went close before Simon Bates forced the keeper into a first class block save, but these attacks were all too few for Saints. The home side's pressure paid off, though ironically when it seemed as if West End were starting to exert more pressure onto their hosts, and it was a sloppy goal to concede. A ball into the Saints' box was not cleared, and a Fountain striker was on hand to fire his shot past Stuart Feest into the net. West End held out until half-time, and with the advantage of the slope went into the second half confident of turning the scoreline around. The opening ten minutes were dominated by Saints, as they pushed forward for an equalising goal, but were guilty of spurning a number of decent half-chances. Fountain came back into the game, and began to break forward with more regularity. And with one break forward, Charlie Winfield was very unlucky to be adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and concede a penalty. Feest was sent the wrong way from the spot kick and the home side doubled their lead. Saints were handed a lifeline ten minutes later as a break down the left put George Winfield through, and his intended pass across to Sturgess was diverted into his own net by a hapless Fountain defender. For ten minutes it looked as though Saints may well force an equaliser as their opponents began to row amongst themselves and lose their shape. But the home side soon began to re-assert themselves, and it was West End who were forced to do the majority of defending. And soon the Saints defense was breached one too many times to let in Fountain for a third goal. West End heads seemed to go down, and it looked as if there were no way back. It was perhaps due to this frustration that Mildon then performed his all-out assault, rightly earning himself an early bath. From here the game petered out to its end, and though Fountain were guilty of missing two gilt-edged opportunities the eventual 3-1 scoreline was probably an accurate reflection of the game. West End's next game is against Fountain in the league next Sunday, when Saints will be hoping that Mr. Mildon will be able to hold his temper and stay on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. Team: Feest; Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn; C.Winfield (Clarke), Bates, Carling, Jones; J.Sturgess, G.Winfield. SAINTS UNLUCKY AT VICTORIA West End Saints were narrowly beaten 3-2 in their league encounter at second placed side Victoria Sports at the Veracity Ground on Sunday. Despite thoroughly dominating the second-half, West End were desperately unfortunate to come away with nothing from the game. With Saints' goalkeeping crisis continuing, it was left to Will Winfield to fill in between the posts, and it was his unfortunate error ten minutes from time that gave the home side a victory they really didn't deserve. With Winfield's enforced move out of the back line, West End deployed a central three of Stuart Crook, James Mildon, and Aidy Gunn at the back, with Simon Bates and Andy Jones working as wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation. Tim Carling, Kev Clarke and Dan Egan made up a strong Saints midfield, while Jamie Sturgess and big George Winfield continued their partnership up front. The opening 15 minutes were a complete disaster for Saints, and it looked like the whole team could not come to terms with their Sunday morning hangovers. Victoria took the lead on 5 minutes, capitalising on some sloppy West End marking, and doubled their lead ten minutes later with a speculative effort from 30 yards that was good enough to evade WInfield's efforts and dip in below the crossbar. This had the effect of sparking West End into action, as up to this they had not forged a meaningful attempt on the opposition goal. Saints became more used to the different formation they were playing, and the three man midfield began to make their numerical advantage show. West End won a succession of corners, whipped in by the left boot of Sturgess, with George Winfield heading just wide from the best of these. On the half-hour mark Sturgess's ball from the left found Egan, and the tricky midfielder was chopped down in the area for a penalty. George Winfield stepped up and his cool shot found the back of the net to halve the deficit. Dave Sturgess replaced brother Jamie in attack at half-time, and West End began to play some terrific football and out-play their opponents. However, they survived a scare just ten minutes in when they conceded a somewhat harsh penalty, but Winfield saw the ensuing strike fly miles wide of his right-hand post to the delight and hearty laughter of the ranked support on the touchline. Tim Carling was beginning to boss affairs in the midfield, and his industrious running and tackling lifted the whole West End side as they poured more and more pressure on their hosts. Egan was denied a sure goal by a fabulous close range block from the Victoria 'keeper before Carling himself provided a rampaging run through the defense but could only fire into the keeper's hands. The defensive three, excellently marshalled by Mildon, were only threatened on the break and looked more than comfortable in keeping Victoria at bay. On 70 minutes West End found the equalising goal they had been pressing for. Egan's ball up the right channel let in the flying wizard Bates, and though he mis-hit his shot the 'keeper must have been under a spell from the Harry Potter lookalike as he fell over and allowed the shot to bobble past him into the goal. At 2-2 Saints looked capable of at least holding on to their lead and possibly even snatching a winner. But with just ten minutes to go, Saints conceded a free-kick on the edge of their area, and though Winfield managed to get across to make the save he allowed the ball to slip between his hands and legs and into the back of the net. It was desperately unfortunate for the stand-in keeper, who had been mostly un-troubled for the whole of the half and was looking very self-assured up to then. West End valiantly continued in search of the equaliser, but for all their effort it was not to be and Victoria managed to hold on to take all three points. Despite the nature of the loss, West End can take real heart that they gave one of the best teams in the league a real run for their money, and totally outplayed them for more than half the game. Tim Carling proved a complete inspiration in the middle of the park, and his man-of-the-match award was a well deserved one. Saints, and Winfield in particular, will be looking forward to the return fixture to make amends for this defeat. Team: W.Winfield; Crook, Mildon, Gunn; Bates, Egan, Clarke, Carling, Jones; J.Sturgess (D.Sturgess 45), G.Winfield. Other
Junior 1 games played this week: SAINTS' WINNING STREAK ENDS With a depleted side, and playing with only ten men, West End Saints winning streak came to an end on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Southampton City. A works' function accounted for the loss of five first team players, and a re-shuffled side saw James Double move into centre-back. With Dave Gibbison a no-show Saints had no choice but to kick-off one man short. However, it was West End who completely dominated the opening ten minutes of play, being totally camped in the opposition half. But Saints were fighting a losing battle, and it was admirable that they reached half-time with the score still at 0-0. And it was perhaps inevitable that the ten men would not hold out for the whole game, despite a spirited effort from all on show. On the hour mark Southampton City took the lead, and though West End tried gamely to get back in the match it was not to be as the eleven men held out for the victory. It was such a shame that West End could not field a full strength side, as their performances and results have improved so greatly over the past few weeks. They will however be confident as winning all three points in the return fixture. Team: Crook; D.Sturgess, Mildon, Double, Jones; C.Winfield, Egan, Clarke, J.Sturgess; G.Winfield. Other
Junior 1 games played this week: SIX-SHOOTER SAINTS In an early season six-pointer, West End Saints continued their recent run of form as they recorded their heaviest win of the season with a 6-0 romp over bottom side Inspec to take all three points at Claypitts Lane on Sunday. With James Double still out injured, Stuart Feest and Stuart Crook took a half each deputising between the posts, and Dave Sturgess replaced absent brother Jamie up front. Tim Carling also made a comeback, partnering Dan Egan in the midfield. West End took control of the match early on when Dan Egan's ball across the area found Simon Bates, and the Harry Potter lookalike made no mistake in slotting past the keeper. And Saints took control with a second, well worked goal. Will Winfield's ball out from defense fell to the feet of Sturgess, who saw his first time flick over the defender put George Winfield in on goal, and the lofty striker showed excellent composure to place his shot up and over the keeper and extend his run of scoring in every one of the last eight games. The second half saw a Saints re-shuffle, with Stuart Feest handing over the gloves to Stuart Crook and moving up front, and it was not long before Feest had made his impact. Following Bates' excellent challenge to win the ball back, Dan Egan took over and played a ball through to Feest, who had time and space to finish past the keeper and put West End 3-0 up. Goal number four came following some good work on the left from George Winfield. After winning the ball back, Winfield beat his man with a run to the by-line, and his ball across the box found brother Charlie, who had time to take a touch before dispatching the ball to the back of the net. And George Winfield also laid on West End's fifth goal, this time a good move down the right hand side allowing Winfield to put in a deep cross which Feest met full on the volley from six yards out for his second of the game. With virtually the last kick of the game West End made it six, with George Winfield capping an excellent performance with his second goal. A ball from brother Will out of defense found Winfield on the left hand side of the pitch, and his fine run took him past the defender and round the keeper to fire into the empty net. This win now lifts West End up to seventh in the table, and they have now won seven of their last eight encounters as their side starts to look much stronger and more settled. Team: Feest; Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Jones; C.Winfield, Egan, Carling, Bates (Gunn 60); G.Winfield, D.Sturgess (Baker 45). Other
Junior 1 games played this week: CUP BANDWAGON ROLLS ON West End Saints continued their excellent cup run with victory over Commercial Houses Division 1 side AFC Blues on Sunday, as goals from George Winfield and a spectacular effort from Dan Egan ensured a 2-1 victory and progress to the next round of the Southampton Junior A Cup. A somewhat makeshift side saw Stuart Crook revert to his old schoolboy position of goalkeeper in the absence of the injured James Double, and Dave Sturgess also reverted back to his old right-back slot of years gone by. But despite the changes, a strong and combative performance from Saints proved just enough to edge the win in a very tight and even encounter. It was not all plain sailing for West End though, as they had to battle back from conceding an early goal, and what a sloppy one it was too. The normally assured Will Winfield allowed a through ball to squirm under his foot, and though the Blues' striker's chip over Crook came back off the bar the Saints defense had gone to sleep and Blues' Tom Earls was left all alone to head into an empty goal. The first half remained tight, though West End began to exert some pressure, with Will and George Winfield both narrowly missing with headers from Jamie Sturgess's pinpoint corner kicks. And Sturgess also came close to securing the equaliser, and he cut onto his left and unleashed a left foot spectacular that was headed for the top corner until the blues keeper pulled off a great save to tip the ball over the bar. West End came into the game more in the second half, and within ten minutes were rewarded with an equaliser. Some excellent work from Dan Egan and Charlie Winfield down the right allowed Egan to fire in a cross which was only headed half clear by the Blues defense. George Winfield returned the ball full on the volley, and a slight deflection took the ball just inside the post to bring the sides level and make it the big striker's seventh game in a row that he has scored in Blues continued to provide problems for West End, once being denied by the bar and again by a good save from Crook. Aside from this though, the Saints defense coped very well with the pressure, and restricted their opponents to shots from outside the box. West End also continued to attack in their search for a winner, with Charlie Winfield causing no end of trouble down the right flank. With ten minutes to go, West End produced something truly special to take the lead. Andy Jones throw into the Blues' penalty box was met by Dan Egan's remarkable overhead kick, and the combative midfielder saw his shot rifle in off the post to put Saints 2-1 up. It was magnificent finish, and a deserved reward for an impressive display from Egan. Saints held out over a nervous last ten minutes, though Simon Bates managed to get himself yellow carded with a rash, lunging high tackle. West End have now won their last five games to emerge as a real form side, but will be aware that all but one of these games has been in cup competition. Saints now need to continue their form in the league to register the points to move them up the table to safety. Team: Crook; D.Sturgess, Mildon, W.Winfield, Jones; C.Winfield, Clarke (Gunn 75), Egan, Bates; G.Winfield, J.Sturgess. Other
Junior 1 games played this week: CUP JOY FOR SAINTS Two goals from big George Winfield and a first clean sheet of the season were enough for a West End Saints victory in the second round of the DR Ryder Trophy on Sunday. Despite a rather abject performance, West End did enough to contain their Division 3 opponents and run out deserved winners. A scrappy first half saw West End hit the woodwork twice through George Winfield and Jamie Sturgess, though Saints suffered a blow on the half hour when keeper James Double dislocated a finger and had to be replaced by Stuart Feest. With the score still 0-0 at half-time, West End stepped up the tempo in the second half and began to exert more pressure on their opponents, and took the lead on the hour mark. Dave Sturgess's ball forward was cut out by the defence, but George Winfield's chasing and persistence paid off as he won the ball back and slotted past the keeper. Saints doubled their lead on 75 minutes with a fine goal. Jamie Sturgess's run looked to have been pushed too wide, but his pinpoint cross from the left corner was met by Winfield and his volley left the keeper with no chance. With Andy Jones brought on to replace Aidy Gunn's tired legs, West End saw out the remaining minutes to hold on for a comfortable victory. This win now puts Saints into the draw for the third round of the cup, and with 5 wins from the last 6 games played West End are now showing some real form. Team: Double
(Feest 30); Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn (Jones 75); C.Winfield,
Clarke No
other Junior 1 games played this week. PIRELLI RUN OVER BY RAMPANT SAINTS
PERFORMANCE West End Saints continued their good recent form with an impressive victory over second placed side Pirelli General. Following the last two weeks' solid cup victories, goals from Dan Egan, George Winfield and Stephen Davenport were enough to give Saints all three points from this crunch league encounter. It was a dominant and well deserved victory for Saints, with excellent performances from Stuart Feest on his return in between the posts and Dave Sturgess in laying on two of the goals filling in for injured brother Jamie in attack. In an open and attractive game West End were on top for the opening half hour without making a breakthrough, though they were desperately unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when the referee failed to notice an intentional handball from a Pirelli defender. However, Saints' pressure was finally rewarded when some good midfield play let in Charlie Winfield, and from his cross Dan Egan thumped his shot past the keeper to put Saints 1-0 up. Saints doubled their lead shortly into the second half when Dave Sturgess's battling won the ball back from the Pirelli keeper, and though he saw his shot cannon back off the post big George Winfield was in the right place to knock in the rebound. By now Saints were firmly in the ascendancy, applying more and more pressure on their hosts, and they were not made to wait long for a very well worked third goal. Following some tidy midfield interplay Sturgess's eye of the needle pass put Stephen Davenport through on goal, and his cool chip past the keeper extended West End's lead to 3-0. Saints then seemed content to sit back on their lead, which invited Pirelli into the game more. And West End were given a wake-up call when some slack marking defending a free-kick allowed the home side in for a far-post headed goal to give them hope at 3-1. But West End dug in, helped on by the tireless running of Aidy Gunn, and they ran in deserved winners. Manager Stuart Feest will be encouraged by his team's last 3 consecutive victories, and will be hoping that they can continue their form and start to progress further up the league table. Team: Feest; Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Baker (Davenport 45); C.Winfield, Egan, Bates, Gunn; D.Sturgess, G.Winfield. Other league results
from Junior 1 CUP TRIUMPH
FOR SAINTS West End Saints continued their good form in the cup competitions with a 2-1 over Durley in the Southampton Junior A Cup on Sunday, overcoming some dubious refereeing and dodgy offside decisions to put their name into the hat for the second round of their second cup competition. Saints took the lead midway through the first half when big George Winfield's square ball found Simon Bates on the edge of the area, and the bespectacled Brummie's left foot shot eluded the keeper to give the midfielder his second goal in as many games. West End doubled their lead shortly into the second half with George Winfield's bullet header from Jamie Sturgess's corner, and the home side looked in total control. But Saints conceded a very sloppy goal with twenty minutes remaining to set nerves jangling, and the visitors thought they had claimed an equaliser in the dying minutes, only to be pulled back for offside. Team: Double; Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn; Bates, Clarke (Carling) (Simpson), Egan, Jones; J.Sturgess, G.Winfield. Booked: Bates Other league results
from Junior 1 SAINTS
TRIUMPH IN NINE-GOAL CUP THRILLER West End Saints put aside their disappointing league form to progress to the second round of the cup with a barnstorming extra time victory over Junior 3 side M&Ms at the Royal Victoria Country Park on Sunday. In a roller-coaster of a tie, Saints came from behind in extra-time to score twice and put themselves into the hat for the second round draw. West End started the game slowly, and had to withstand a barrage of pressure from the visitors, though they never forced keeper James Double into any serious action. Despite being under the cosh Saints were making the better chances, though some sloppy finishing by their forwards kept the game at 0-0. But that all changed when Charlie Winfield's flick header sent Jamie Sturgess racing through, and his cross was clinically dispatched by George Winfield to put Saints in the lead. West End drew confidence from this strike, and could have gone two up when George Winfield blazed over when clean through on goal. But Winfield made amends for his miss when his defense splitting ball sent Jamie Sturgess through, and the diminutive striker made no mistake to send West End into half-time 2-0 up. Following the interval Saints played some decent football, but allowed themselves to sit back on their lead. They were undone by some sloppy play ten minutes into the half to allow the visitors a goal to halve the deficit, and conceded another within minutes to find themselves level. This inspired a mini-revival in West End as they found their shape again and began to dominate their opponents. Only the heroics of the M&Ms keeper kept Saints at bay as he made a string of remarkable saves to keep the sides level. West End continued to carve out chance after chance, and in the end the pressure paid off as a cheeky nutmeg from Jamie Sturgess put Simon Bates through on goal and the Brummie's cool finish past the keeper gave the midfielder his first goal of the season to put Saints back in the lead. But once again it was a lead that West End could not hold on to, as the visitors found an equaliser to level the scores at 3-3. Both teams played out a rather nervous last fifteen minutes but no winner could be found, and the match progressed into extra time. It was M&Ms who made the first breakthrough within minutes of the restart, and at 4-3 down West End pushed Will Winfield as an extra man into midfield. The change was noticeable, but again Saints were repelled by some expert saves from the visiting keeper. The second half saw West End dominate more and more in a desperate search for the equalising goal. At last the M&Ms defense was breached, as some good work by George Winfield put Jamie Sturgess in on goal, and the flame haired striker fired home his second of the match to level the scores at 4-4. Within minutes West End had regained their lead, when more good work by big George Winfield allowed him to find his brother Will in the penalty area, and Winfield Snr crashed his shot in off the underside of the bar. The goal prompted a late surge from the visitors as West End looked to hold their lead, and it took an inspirational save from James Double to keep them at bay and maintain their lead. However, Saints were able to hold on to to seal a 5-4 victory and book their passage into the next round. Team: Double;
Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn; C.Winfield, Clarke (Feest), Bates,
D.Sturgess; Other league results
from Junior 1
REAL TEST FOR SAINTS A brave performance from West End Saints was not enough to prevent a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of league leaders Real Sholing at the Royal Victoria Country Park on Sunday. Memories of the 8-1 thrashing at the hands of Real earlier in the season were put to rest in a match in which West End could consider themselves unlucky not to take a point from. New signing James Double made a solid debut in the Saints' goal, while Stuart Crook made his first appearance of the season at right back. Aidy Gunn returned from injury to resume duties at left-back, but George Winfield's ankle injury limited him to a starting spot on the bench. An open and attacking game saw many chances for both teams, but Sholing held the upper hand with a goal in either half. West End were desperately unlucky to be denied twice by the frame of the goal with Dan Egan's long range shot and Will Winfield's header, before substitute George Winfield bundled home Jamie Sturgess's corner 15 minutes from time to give the home side hope. But it was not to be as Real Sholing held on for a narrow victory. Nevertheless, it was a good showing from Saints, and the team are at last putting in some good, consistent performances. The trick now is to turn these performances into points. Team: Double; Crook, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn; C.Winfield, Clarke, Egan, Andy Jones; D.Sturgess, J.Sturgess (G.Winfield). Other
Junior 1 results from 7th October 2001 POINTS AT LAST! West End Saints ended a 4 match losing streak to register a resounding 3-1 victory over Inspec at the Royal Victoria Country Park on Sunday. In an open and attractive game, West End secured their first points of the season with an impressive performance and fully deserved their hard fought win Following a nervous opening and a couple of scares West End came more into the game, with Charlie Winfield very lively down the right flank on his return from suspension and Dan Egan providing some steel to the midfield. West End took the lead on the half hour, with Will Winfield's meatball header from Jamie Sturgess's corner proving too hot for the keeper to handle. However, some sloppy play defending an Inspec corner allowed the visitors an equaliser to go to half time level at 1-1. Inspec started the second half the brighter of the teams, and the West End defense did well to keep out some sustained pressure from their visitors. As the half progressed however, Saints began to dominate and piled the pressure back on with a succession of corners. It seemed like a string of West End near misses was going to deny the home side their first victory, most notably when Dan Egan's run and shot was denied by the fingertips of the keeper. But with 15 minutes remaining Dave Sturgess found brother Jamie with a delightful through-ball, and Sturgess Snr. made no mistake with his right foot drive to put the home side back in the lead. West End continued to apply the pressure and sealed the 3-1 victory in the dying minutes when Charlie Winfield's cross was fumbled by the keeper to the feet of George Winfield, and the big striker could not miss from 6 yards out to register his first goal of the season. This win lifts West End above Inspec and off the bottom of the table, and they will be looking to build on this performance to move further up the league. Team: Feest; Baker, Mildon, W.Winfield, Adam Jones; C.Winfield, Clarke, Egan, Bates (D.Sturgess 55); J.Sturgess, G.Winfield. Other Junior 1 results
from 30th September 2001 REAL HAMMERING
No match report available.
Team: Feest; Bates,
Mildon, Gunn, Jones; Morris, Clarke, Egan, J.Sturgess; G.Winfield, Scorer: Egan. Other Junior 1 results
from 16th September 2001 SAINTS UNDONE
IN SEASON OPENER West End Saints went down 2-0 away to Itchen Manor in their opening league division 1 fixture at Riverside Park on Sunday. Despite a battling display in difficult conditions, Saints could just not find the elusive breakthrough and two goals in the last half hour from their hosts were enough to seal victory. A re-shuffled Saints side saw Will Winfield drop back into the back line, with brother George filling in the vacant midfield slot. New summer signings Kieran Morris and Dave Sturgess both started the match to mark their Saints' debuts. The opening 45 minutes was a scrappy affair as the rain fell hard and neither side created any real clear-cut openings. Stuart Feest did well in the Saints' goal to hold on to a long range shot that skidded off the wet surface, but apart from that West End were largely untroubled and went into half time at 0-0. The second-half started largely as the first had ended, with West End trying to up their tempo a little. Ten minutes into the half Simon Bates replaced Dave Gibbison, and George Winfield was pushed into his more familiar role up front. West End threatened more following the switch, and began to exert more pressure on the Itchen defense. However, it was the home side that took the lead on the hour mark, beating the Saints' offside trap to finish past Feest and take a 1-0 lead. West End continued to apply the pressure, with Jamie Sturgess hitting the post with a header and new boys Kieran Morris and Dave Sturgess both going close. A rampaging solo run from James Mildon also unlocked the opposition defense, but he was blocked before he could get his shot in. As Saints pushed forward more and more in a brave bid for an equalising goal they were undone on the counter attack with just five minutes to go, as Manor doubled the lead to make the game safe. Though Saints continued their efforts for a goal it was not to be, and Itchen ran out 2-0 winners. Nonetheless, it was a brave fighting performance from Saints, who will be looking to make up for this defeat when they travel to Whitenap next week. Team: Feest;
Baker, Mildon, W.Winfield, Gunn; Morris, Clarke, G.Winfield, J.Sturgess;
Gibbison
Rules
* Points only gained if player has played more than 75 minutes of the game. All players: 2 pts. deducted for a booking, 5 pts. for a sending off.
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