FOOTBALL: City’s successful Twinning tournament

1:58pm Thursday 26th July 2007

Despite last weekend's torrential rain which threatened most of the matches in Winchester City's Friendship Football Tournament, the pitch, which was being played on for the first time since the club had to rectify some disastrous groundwork earlier in the close season, stood up remarkably well.

The weather did, however, have an adverse effect on attendance and except on the Sunday when the sun managed to break through, the crowds were disappointing.

The first game of the Tournament (featuring Winchester's twined cities) saw City face TS Giessen-Wieseck from Germany and despite having spent 15 hours travelling to the Den Plan City Stadium the visitors played some attractive football. City fans were given their first glimpse of Manager Andy Leader's new-look team and Matt Czastka achieved the honour of scoring the first goal of the season, a fine individual effort angled across the keeper in the 40th minute.

City sealed the points when Danny Potter rose above the German defence to head home in the 79th minute.

Friday saw City's sponsors, Denplan, field their own works' team to face an International XI, a mixture of City Youth, French and German players. The match saw the German General manager and City's First and Reserve managers take the field with Andy Leader capping a cameo performance by scoring the final goal in a 6-1 win.

The main match on Saturday saw TS Giessen-Wieseck play their French counterparts US Laon. Again the Germans lost 2-0 in a close-fought match.

The teams, officials and Civic and F.A. dignatories enjoyed a barbecue and social evening after the match.

After some terrible weather Sunday saw the sunshine and spectators enjoy a varied day of football. The morning started with a display of disabled football, organised by Southampton FC, when the youngsters enjoyed playing on a real' football pitch.

Next to take the field were Winchester City Ladies and Southampton FC Ladies and again supporters saw plenty of goals with the Saints Ladies winning 6-2.

The highlight of the Tournament proved to be the last match, Winchester City v US Laon, which, in effect, proved to be the cup final of the round-robin tournament. The first half in particular saw some high class football from both sides. City took the lead with a penalty in the 16th minute with Adam George coolly netting the spot kick but Laon were back on level terms when the City defence failed to clear and a close range shot was powered in.

Just before half-time Danny Potter produced a similar goal to the one he scored against the Germans, heading home a well flighted cross.

The second half was edged by Laon and they scored two superb goals in the last quarter of an hour to clinch the Friendship Trophy.

After the presentation ceremony the teams and officials enjoyed an end of tournament get together at the Winchester Royal Hotel, hosted by Denplan, before leaving for their various destinations. It is hoped that the Tournament will be repeated in Germany in two years time.

Immediately after the Tournament, City's much maligned pitch was under repair aided by some racecourse maintenance technology and it is hoped that the four weeks before the start of the season proper the surface will settle down.

Before the big kick-off Winchester City have the following 1st XI friendlies, all away, Kintbury Rangers (July 28), New Milton (July 31), AFC Totton (Aug 2), Fareham Town (Aug 4) and Worthing (Aug 11).