New boy scores but City lose (From Basingstoke Gazette)

New boy scores but City lose

7:10am Monday 11th February 2013 in Sport

ON-LOAN AFC Bournemouth youngster Lewis Blackmore got his Winchester City career off to a flying start on Saturday.

The teenage midfielder, a second-year scholar at Dean Court, scored six minutes into his debut after Liam Robinson’s left-foot shot had been parried into his path.

But, alas for Blackmore and fellow Cherries trainee Tom Turner, they were unable turn relegation-battling Winchester’s fortunes around as visitors Evesham hit back for a 3-1 victory at the Denplan City Ground.

The scores were levelled on 18 minutes when Marcus Palmer beat City keeper Rory Anderson with a glancing header.

Six minutes into the second half Evesham went in front when Carl Brown’s shot squirmed through Anderson’s hands. Winchester were undone again nine minutes from time when Gayton tapped in Brown’s cross.

“We started well and got ourselves in front and, at that stage, it was a very even game,” said City owner Paul McCarthy.

“But the pitch was terrible, the rain didn’t help and we were undone by a more experienced side. We were muscled out of it in the end and conceded three poor goals.”

The bright spot for McCarthy were the performances of the two Cherries youngsters.

“We had Jack Smith out with an Achilles injury so Lewis Blackmore came into midfield and did a very good job and Tom Turner also did well at centre-half,” he said.

“Our relationship with Bournemouth is great and hopefully it will be enhanced with more of their youngsters coming to the club.

“I’ve got to speak to Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks at Bournemouth to see if we can keep Lewis and Tom for the rest of the season.”

The Evesham defeat was City’s fourth on the bounce, leaving them second to bottom of the Southern One South & West.

They have four points to spare over rock-bottom Bishops Cleeve but have played seven games more.

Ex-boxer McCarthy refuses to throw in the towel, however. “We can’t keep having the bad luck we’ve been getting,” he said. “Any minute now, things are going to turn for us.” l POOLE remain eight points adrift of Southern One South & West leaders Hungerford after hanging on for a 1-0 home victory over North Leigh.

Marvin Brooks scored after only five minutes, but Poole ended with with ten men after Rhys Baggridge had been shown a second yellow.