Winchester 2, Trojans 4.

Trojans drilled a hole in Winchester's South Premier League, Division 2 promotion chances and, at the same time improved their own prospects, with a 4-2 victory at Kings'.

The third defeat in four matches has left Winchester nine points behind leaders Fareham, but lifted Trojans in a potentially challenging third place, just two points behind Maidstone.

To add to Winchester's woe, skipper Pete Rowland was hit full in the mouth with the ball ten minutes into the game and the ensuing dental repairs will keep him out of action into the New Year.

The ability of Winchester to sustain a promotion challenge fell into further doubt with this derby loss at the hands of Trojans. With just one point separating the teams at start of play, there was a great deal at stake, both sides were unable to name a first choice team with Wayne Shepherd unavailable for the visitors. Winchester, already with three major long term injuries were devastated when their main weapon, Adrian Wilkinson called off with the flu.

The body count climbed still further ten minutes into the game when skipper Pete Rowland was caught square in the face by the ball as he closed down a Trojans striker. The subsequent dental injuries will keep him out the team for some weeks. As he was being treated on the side of the pitch, Winchester were awarded a penalty flick. Andy Winnett taking a quick free hit finding Will Brown whose shot was parried and Stuart Swift's follow-up strike was kept out by a Trojans foot. Ben Hibberd converted from the spot.

The game was evenly balanced, but the third of a string of short corners proved fruitful for Trojans as Tim Baralet-Leak forced home after a rebound off Ally Birch. With the last action of the first half, Trojans then took the lead from an identical short corner effort.

After the break, Trojans eased further ahead with a powerfully hit short corner strike. The game seemed well in Trojans control, forcing keeper Birch into a number of saves to keep the home team alive. Andy Winnett then reminded everyone of his talent with a Wilkinson-like dribble into the D and a flourishing reverse stick strike to pull the deficit back to one goal.

However, almost from the restart, Trojans pulled further ahead with a rapid exploitation of a Winchester defensive error to score their only open play goal of the game.

Winchester missed a chance to make the last few minutes more interesting when Ben Hibberd skied the ball over the bar after a flowing move started by Kent Langridge in his own area.

Winchester urgently need to win their last pre-Christmas game at Barnes next week and then regroup in January when their full compliment of players will be restored. They must then hope they have not left their challenge too late.