Bumper points return for busy Whitchurch (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Macey's men get four points in three days

8:00am Saturday 14th January 2012 in Football

WHITCHURCH United picked up four points in the space of three days thanks to a 3-2 win over visiting Cowes Sports last Saturday after a 1-1 draw at Andover New Street two days earlier in Wessex League division one.

On Saturday against the Isle of Wight side, the home took an early lead from Mario Nurse.

Cowes levelled from a free-kick after ’Church goalkeeper Tom Hindmarsh unintentional handballed a high bouncing ball just outside the area.

The home side hit back immediately as Paul Coventry, playing up front, restored their lead.

By the break, Whitchurch had some breathing space as Luke Walker scored with a wonder strike on the volley from 30 yards out to make it 3-1.

Just after the hour, Cowes reduced the deficit to one goal but they were unable to get a third thanks to some solid defending and four one handed saves from Hindmarsh.

Talking after the win manager Jim Macey said: “We deserved the win against what is a good team as they have a lot of ex-Brading players from the premier division.

“They were pretty bitter after the game as they felt Tom should have been sent off in the first half, but he was not the last man as Ali Brown was standing on the line.”

On Thursday night at Andover New Street, the visitors opened the better with a Walker free-kick cannoning to safety off the defensive wall and the same player firing over.

New Street opened the scoring on 18 minutes and as the first-half came to a close, Whitchurch’s Hindmarsh produced a point blank save and then Nick Jupp went close at the other end.

Whitchurch levelled 10 minutes from time as a long throw into the area from Louis Macey was headed on by Matt Bennett and in the ensuing scramble Ollie Bridges scored from close range.

The visitors nearly won the game at the death, but Walker was denied by a great save.

This weekend, Whitchurch face a visit from Ringwood knowing victory would see the them leap frog over the New Forest side into ninth place in the league.

Macey said: “Ringwood are our bogey team and we owe them big time. I really hope we can beat them.”

Last Saturday proved a good day for the Whitchurch club as along with the first team victory, the reserves won 5-4 away at Horndean and the under-12’s enjoyed a resounding 7-0 success over Broughton.