WINCHESTER City boss Paul Masters had a happy feeling of déjà-vu during Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Bishops Cleeve.

Just like the previous weekend’s showdown with Banbury United, City were pitted at home against one of the form sides of the Southern One South & West, writes Wendy Gee.

And, once again, the sharpshooting Citizens managed to slam four goals past their visitors in what was a far from easy game.

Bishops Cleeve had not tasted defeat in the league since August but, despite a strong start, found themselves two goals adrift at half-time.

Dan Cann struck first against the run of play on 15 minutes, heading home Matt Benham’s cross from the right, and the ever-dependable Zach Glasspool doubled Winchester’s advantage in the 40th minute with a firm strike into the corner.

When City defender Leigh Mills presented Cleeve with a chance to get back into it by conceding a clumsy penalty, Elliott Kennedy blew it by having his spot kick saved by keeper Brendan Norris’ legs.

Buoyed by that escape, City scored a third when Warren Bentley headed a corner back across goal for Cann to lash home his second of the afternoon.

Few City wins are complete without a goal from Bentley himself and it duly arrived in the 66th minute when the league's top scorer lifted the ball over the ’keeper after the visitors had failed to deal with Cann’s quickly-taken throw.

The visitors pulled a late goal back through Ed Major and then had a fierce shot palmed away by young Norris but, once again, clinical finishing proved the difference for City who are two points shy of the play-off zone in seventh.

Masters admitted: “It wasn’t an easy game and we didn’t start particularly well.

“But, just like last week against Banbury (a 4-0 win), we scored at the right times. We did just enough and we’ll take that, it’s pleasing.”

With a demanding sequence of three games in six days approaching, Masters took the opportunity to shuffle his pack. Micky Hubbard and Benham came into the starting line-up, while fit-again full-back Danny King made a welcome return for the last half-hour.

City go to second-placed North Leigh on Wednesday, host Southern Premier giants Weymouth in the FA Trophy on Friday before setting off again on their league travels to Burnham next Monday (November 2).

“I’ve tried to use the squad because we’ve got three tough games coming up in a short space of time,” said Masters. “Even if we go to North Leigh on Wednesday and draw, that’s a good result for us.”