Winchester City 1-1 Hanwell Town

A 92nd minute Tom Wright equaliser denied Hanwell Town a hard-fought away win at Winchester City on Saturday (8 February).

In a first half that saw both goalkeepers put to the test, Harry Seabrook’s diving header sent the Geordies into the dressing room with the lead.

Then, after defending well for much of the game, a brief lapse in concentration from Hanwell’s defenders allowed the hosts to draw level in stoppage time.

The Geordies came into the game looking to extend their six-game unbeaten run. In contrast, Winchester were hoping to bounce back from a 4-2 loss to Walton & Hersham.

The first 10 minutes of the contest went by without event then, after a brilliant through ball by Wright, Trevor Caborn saw his effort from the right of the box saved by Sam Beasant.

10 minutes later, Mat Mackenzie, Joe Wilson, and Alfie Pendlebury combined nicely down the left and the latter had his shot blocked for a Hanwell corner.

Taylor Miles lofted the corner from the right to the back post and an unmarked Seabrook met the delivery with a powerful diving header to give the travelling fans behind the goal a reason to cheer.

Hanwell could have doubled their lead when Wilson and Pendlebury again combined down the right. The former's looping cross found Jordan Edwards and the striker's header forced a good save out of Luke Cairney.

Winchester had a chance to equalise in the 30th minute. Ik Hill led a breakaway from a Hanwell set play. The ball eventually found its way to George Britton on the right. His cross deflected back to Hill whose forceful shot was brilliantly saved by Beasant.

In the 43rd minute, a long range shot from Max Smith whistled just past the right post. Hanwell had their own attempt at a long range screamer a few minutes later when Mackenzie’s 25-yard volley was slightly wide of the top left corner.

Both sides were out early for the second half, Winchester eager to build on an encouraging end to the first half and Hanwell looking to extend their narrow advantage.

Wilson was lively throughout the game. Just after the restart, the wing-back drove into the middle of the box and saw his shot saved by Cairney.

Winchester then took control of the half and had numerous chances to pull level. Wright’s diagonal shot from the left of the box forced Beasant to use all of his flexibility to reach it.

Britton’s curling effort from the right corner of the box flew over everyone and hit the bar. Hill, Caborn, McCormick, and Wright all had other chances to pull the hosts level.

It looked like Hanwell had just about done enough to seal another away win. This was until the hosts caught the Geordies off guard with a quick free kick. Wright was found on the edge of the six-yard box and the striker’s low driven shot was hit too quickly to be blocked or saved.

The visitors will be disappointed to not leave with all three points after leading for so long. However, a point extends their unbeaten streak to seven games and lifts them to ninth in the Southern Premier League South.

On Tuesday, The Geordies welcome Hayes and Yeading United to the Powerday Stadium in the Middlesex County Cup. Then on Saturday, they face Havant & Waterlooville at home.