SRWFL Premier Division.
It was a sunny start to my journey to Camberley on the way to my final game of the season, one which I added at the last minute after seeing Fleet were playing this at Krooner Park instead of their usual home ground, I assume because the club have already started renovation work on the pitch. This seemingly never ending SRWFL season would finally reach its conclusion, well for me anyway as there are still a couple of games outstanding!
Going into this game the “home side” were sitting in a comfortable eighth place after a good first season at this level while Winchester City Flyers had probably exceeded all expectations by being in contention for the title all season and only conceding it to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend. They were sitting in second place but knowing three points here would just about guarantee them the runners-up spot (AFC Portchester having games in hand but with a vastly inferior goal difference).
It’s always good to get a chance to catch up with Tim, a groundhopper who has been to over 200 games this season (his is always a good account to follow on Twitter if you don’t already), and we took our seats in the main stand as the players came out for the kick off.
The early stages saw Winchester slow to get into any sort of rhythm on a bouncy, bobbly surface and Fleet looking lively, playing some nice passing football and the pace of Layla Drury causing their opponents early problems down the left flank.
Winchester had the first couple of chances, a Laura Voles corner from the left was headed past the post by Lydia Moulding, and Shayne Prasad tried her luck from distance with her shot just dipping over the bar.
Fleet came back and a through pass from Zoe Luft looked as if she’s released Drury only for Charlie Snelling to intercept and clear.
A long pass over the top nearly undid the visitors, the ball bouncing just in front of Ellie Parker in the Flyers goal who hesitated and then couldn’t get a clean touch. The ball wouldn’t come down for Priya Wilson but did find its way to Drury who sent it goalwards but there were four Winchester defenders there to hack it clear.
A nice move down the right from Winchester culminated in a lovely touch on the edge of the box from Annie Northwood sending Prasad into the area. Keeper Kim Marshall rushed out and dived bravely at the feet of Prasad and managed to grab the ball at the second attempt.
Northwood was involved again a moment later when Snelling played a lovely through ball but Aniya Thompson was alive to the danger, covered well and managed to shepherd the ball away for a corner. The set piece was swung in by Emma Whitlock and headed just wide by Emily Wernham.
Fleet finished the half on the up, a sweeping one touch move between Sophie Hayman, Wilson and Drury led to a half chance for Drury but her effort was blocked. The hosts recycled the ball well, a run down the right where Imogen Cockerell found Avery Tolley who centred but Winchester were back in numbers and managed to clear the danger.
H-T: Fleet Town 0 Winchester City Flyers 0
Fleet continued to push forward in the opening minutes of the second half, a great block tackle on the half way line from Wilson left her space to run down the left before squaring the ball inside to Drury. A defender looked to have beaten her to the ball but it ran into her path and she fired a shot goalwards albeit straight into the arms of Parker.
Another quick break down the left for the hosts saw Luft finding Drury on the edge of the box where she tried an ambitious curler into the opposite top corner only for it to sail wide of the post.
Drury was still causing the visitors defence problems with her pacy, direct style and was brought down in a dangerous area on the edge of the box after another good run. Tolley lined up to take the free kick but the wall did its job and Winchester were able to clear.
Winchester were playing the second half down the slope at Krooner Park and took the lead on the hour mark. A nice ball through the defence from Prasad led to a foot chase between Snelling and the onrushing Marshall, with Snelling just beating the goalkeeper to a touch and it was enough to see the ball nestle in the back of the net. 0-1
The visitors soon doubled their lead. Another long ball was allowed to bounce by the Fleet defence and, after initially hesitating, Marshall came out to the edge of the area, seemed to misjudge the bounce and jump into Prasad. The referee’s assistant waved for a foul straight away and, after a brief consultation, the official pointed to the spot. Prasad hit the spot kick low to the keepers right where Marshall did well to get a hand on it but it was not enough to keep it out. 0-2
Winchester made it three goals in seven minutes when a great diagonal ball from Snelling picked out the run of Prasad and she reached the ball seconds before Marshall, her touch nicking the ball past the keeper and rolling into the empty net. 0-3
Fleet tried to fight back and nice interplay between Luft and Drury created space for Jocelyn Elleby in the edge of the box but she didn’t realise how much time she had and shot early with the ball sailing high over the bar.
The visitors nearly made it four with another bouncing ball over the Fleet defence, Izzy Conti picked up the ball ahead of Marshall but her attempted lob went just over.
Fleet battled on and had probably their best chance in the match, a long Cockerell free kick from midfield dropped to Luft in the box. Her snapshot was saved well low to her right by Parker and cleared only for Cockerell to pick up the loose ball and float a lovely cross to the far post where Sophie Hayman got her head to it but could only put it wide under pressure.
Back came Winchester and from another long ball Snelling raced clear, she cut back on the left side of the box and hit a shot towards goal which was brilliantly parried by Marshall, the ball looping high, crashing off the top of the bar and was finally cleared.
There was a little kerfuffle in the dying minutes where one of the Winchester players appeared to pull the hair of a Fleet player which sparked angry scenes in the stand. Neither the official or his assistant saw the incident so no action was taken. After a stormy end to what had been a hard fought but fair encounter, the referee brought the game to a close.
F-T: Fleet Town 0 Winchester City Flyers 3
An enjoyable game to end the season with Fleet more than holding their own against one of the divisions pacesetters. They passed the ball around nicely and made plenty of half chances but without having the firepower to take advantage. Maybe having Lily Martin, unavailable for this game, on the pitch may have made a difference but we’ll never know. In any case they look a decent young side who have done well in their first season at this level and look to be a team that will improve in the future. A nice touch also that their players posed for a team photo after the game for their fans, friends and families.
With AFC Portchester losing at Oxford City, Winchester took advantage and the three points gained here were enough to confirm they finish the 25/26 season as the SRWFL Premier Division runners-up so huge congratulations to them! They look a strong side throughout; Snelling looks comfortable on the ball, has an eye for a pass and made many intelligent breaks through the opposition back line in this game. Their defence looks solid and Prasad always looked dangerous up front. They too were missing a striker, the prolific Chelsie Hay scorer of 37 goals this season, so they should be in a good place to challenge again in what is shaping up to be a very competitive league next season.
Good luck to both clubs next season and I’m sure our paths will cross again at some point in 26/27!
Thanks go to both teams for an entertaining game and thanks also to Camberley Town for hosting. It was also great to get the chance to talk to Paula Jewell and Dan Turkington about their redevelopment of Krooner Park planned for later this year and Camberley’s plans going forward.
A good day out which even the rain at the end of the day could dampen! Oh, and Tim, did the remaining cookies and the pack Haribo last the day out?