A WIN for Winchester City at Newport IoW this evening (7.30pm) would leave them just a point shy of league leaders Petersfield Town having played two games more.

After Petersfield’s 0-0 stutter at Fawley on Saturday, City fans will be hoping for more stumbles by the Rams as the Sydenhams Premier title race approaches the finish line.

But, in his heart of hearts, Winchester boss Paul Masters does not see Petersfield falling away even though they could briefly lose top spot tonight if Moneyfields – who have played three games more than the Rams – win at Totton & Eling.

Realistically, Masters sees City’s main mission as wrestling second spot off Moneys and praying it will be enough to secure promotion.

“Let’s face it, Petersfield have only lost two games all season,” said Masters.

“All we can do is put pressure on them, but I know which position I’d rather be in!

“Our lads have done well in the last six or seven weeks. We’ve had some tough games and we’ve also got some tough ones coming up and, in the cold light of day, we could always lose.

“I don’t think anyone will go unbeaten from now to the end of the season.”

For the second week running, Winchester struggled against the wind in the first half against Verwood Town on Saturday before taking control of proceedings to win 2-0.

Top gun Warren Bentley opened the scoring with a superb volley, cleverly taming a high ball as it hung in the area and volleying it home side-footed.

With City’s one-touch football starting to flow, Zach Glasspool headed narrowly over before defender Jamie Thoroughgood buried the second amid a goalmouth scramble after Micky Hubbard’s corner had been cleared off the line.

Acknowledging Thoroughgood’s contribution since he joined City from Christchurch, Masters said: “Jamie’s done well at both ends of the pitch. He’s a good character and a good all-round footballer who has fitted in really well.

“Verwood are a good, young side and they caused us problems when we were playing against the wind.

“They were very good for the first 45 minutes and we were very average, but we played much better in the second half.”

Although Charlie Smeeton has completed his four-match suspension, he is unavailable for tonight’s showdown against his old club Newport.

Geoff Dunn won’t feature either. The young frontrunner/wideman, just back from thigh problems, hobbled off with a twisted ankle on Saturday.