WHITCHURCH United suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday, going down 3-1 away at Winchester City.

The Jam Boys went into the game top of the Wessex League Premier Division, having beaten Petersfield Town 3-2 last Wednesday, but they were unable to retain top spot.

Whitchurch got off to a bad start as the hosts went ahead after just four minutes, Zach Glasspool scoring from the penalty spot after United goalkeeper Brad Snelling had brought down Dom Cope.

The visitors pulled level on 34 minutes, a loose back-pass giving Jamie Phillips the chance to equalise, but Geoff Dunn put Winchester back in front early in the second half and Whitchurch’s problems increased when Jamie Mansell was sent off.

The 10 men were unable to get back on terms and Winchester increased their lead in stoppage-time, Glasspool getting his second of the game.

Three days earlier, Whitchurch had gone top of the league with a 3-2 victory over previous leaders Petersfield Town.

Both sides found the net in the opening 90 seconds. Mansell opened the scoring from a poor goalkeeping clearance, but Petersfield responded as Warren Hunt netted from the penalty spot.

Whitchurch regained the lead on 15 minutes, Jack McCarthy heading home from a corner, and another poor clearance gave Ryan Lambert the chance to make it 3-1 soon after.

Alex Lewley got Petersfield back into the game before the break and Whitchurch were on the back foot for much of the second half, but they held on to take all three points.

Despite Saturday’s defeat, Whitchurch sit third in the table ahead of a trip to Alresford Town tomorrow night.

Meanwhile, the draw for the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup has handed Whitchurch a home tie against Southern League outfit Fleet Town.