Otterbourne 1 Whitchurch United 4.

Goals from Dan Phillips, Lloyd Clark and a penalty from Josh Green capped a good first outing for Carl Bennett’s men as Whitchurch United start their pre-season campaign with a strong performance and comfortable victory over Hampshire League Premier side Otterbourne.

Bennett’s team did not have it all their own way and were tested by a spirited Otterbourne who gave a good account of themselves in front of the travelling support.

With good one-touch football Whitchurch opened up the defence generating several chances in the first 15 but Otterbourne were certainly not overawed but struggled to make any inroads through the industrious Whitchurch midfield.

It took 20 minutes for Whitchurch to find the back of the net with Phillips pace proving too much for the Otterbourne defence and it was not long before Phillips’ pace again made it 2-0.

Phillips and McCarthy were enjoying their role and with some good linking football were unlucky not to score further goals before the half-time whistle.

Bennett brought Clark on as right back and it took just six minutes to make his mark with a perfect lob to make it 3-0.

New Whitchurch keeper Brad Snelling saved well before a defensive error gave Tom Sands time to pick out a good shot to lob Snelling. Ryan Lambert then broke into the area only to be pulled back by the shirt earning a penalty which was taken cleanly by Green giving Whitchurch a very comfortable 1-4 win.

Carl Bennett said “I’m very pleased with the team’s first performance together as I thought we passed the ball reasonably well and made a lot of chances. We still have a lot to do and with players still to join the team we will need to maximise on all of the pre-season friendlies”.

Whitchurch United are next in action tomorrow (Tuesday)  away to Hamble FC with a 6.30pm ko.