Winchester Walking Football Club celebrated its third anniversary on Sunday, April 21, with a 5-1 home victory against Eastleigh in the first round of the Walking Football Association (WFA) national knockout cup over 50s tournament.

Eastleigh opened the scoring with their initial attack in the first minute when Neil Graham shot from the right hand side.

Winchester steadily settled into the game and built momentum in a relatively even first period. Mark Pellegrini eventually equalised with a similar goal to make it all square before the 25 minute half time break.

Winchester seized the initiative immediately after resumption when Barry Poffley tapped a free kick wide to Pellegrini on the left who fired home his second goal. 

Phil Courtney and Mark Wilkinson had efforts turned away for corners before an Eastleigh defender strayed into the goal area and Pellegrini dispatched the resultant penalty on 31 minutes.

Dave Veal shot against the post for the visitors and Pellegrini again went close before another clinical finish to grab his fourth goal.

Eastleigh attempted to get back into the game, again hitting the post but also finding Winchester goalkeeper Martin Kukla in defiant mood, making a double save and also blocking shots with his feet.
Poffley increased Winchester’s lead when he intercepted and coolly slotted past the keeper to make the result 5-1.

Winchester squad: Martin Kukla, David Kirkby, Phil Courtney, Steve Nash, Mark Wilkinson, Mark Pellegrini, Barry Poffley, Ian Dowson, Eugene Wills.

Winchester Over 65s were less successful in their first round cup tie a fortnight earlier, losing 1-3 at home to Bournemouth, Steve Nash scoring for Winchester and Norman Hoff hitting a hat trick for Bournemouth.

For more information: winchesterwalkingfc.com.