Winchester Wanderers defeat Salisbury Strollers in close game

This week, Wanderers were back at Bar End vs Salisbury Strollers. Both teams started the game with the same number of points, so it was likely to be a close game. And that was how it played out.  Salisbury had the better players and controlled the midfield for much of the game with a fast, close passing game. But Wanderers made better use of the wings and were better at moving the ball into the Salisbury 23m area and crossing into the circle. Wanderers were creating more chances, but Salisbury were winning short corners and their short corner routine was more effective - twice coming close. But it was Wanderers who scored first. Tim Moores carried the ball down the right wing before crossing from close to the goal line. David Nops reached the ball just before the Salisbury keeper, and his reverse stick flick beat the keeper inside the near post.
Near the end of the first half, David Nops was stick-tackled as he was about to take a shot. Sadly, the resulting penalty was put wide. 1-0 at halftime.
The second half continued in much the same way. Salisbury's slick short corner routine paid off when the ball was flicked in from the top of the circle. 1-1. And that's how it looked as though it would end. Then Wanderers won a short corner in the dying minutes of the game. The shot hit a Salisbury foot on the line and David Nops scored with a well-taken flick from the resulting penalty. Final score Wanderers 2 - Salisbury 1.
Another hard-fought, but very friendly and enjoyable, game.
With thanks to umpires James Wakely and Rob Duffy.