The First Team continued their pre-season on Sunday with a game against Basingstoke Town 1sts. The team liked up in a new diamond formation with Georgina and Beth up front.

Despite Basingstoke having the majoring of the possession early on it was Winchester who had the first chance. Good pace form Chaffey saw her her round the left back a bare down on goal before pulling it back for Georgina who shot was well blocked, but the rebound feel back to Chaffey but her shot just dragged wide. Basingstoke were moving the ball round well especially across the back and at one point this lead to their left winger getting space to put in a cross, despite a touch from the on rushing striker it was well read by Lauren who collected the ball easily. 

By this point both teams had settled into the game with it being a battle of the centre midfield area to get the ball out wide. Beth and Chaffey were working well together up front but the final pass just would fall right. The next big chance did come to Flyers though as a scramble in the Basingstoke 6 yard box saw the ball land at Jens feet and she struck it cleanly but the keeper made a reflex save to push it over the bar.

The rest of the half saw the Flyers having to defend for the majority but a tight back line of Payton, Grace, Jen and Kate saw most of the play stay in front of the defence. They did however call on Lauren on a couple of locations as she got down low to her left to push a shot wide and then was in the right place to gather the ball from the resulting corner. It did look like Lauren had had some bad luck a few minutes later though as her goal kick landed at the feet of the Basingstoke centre mid who tried to lob Lauren from just inside the Flyers half. Having just taken the kick Lauren was out of position but after what felt like days the ball finally came down to crash onto the bar and then the rebound was well saved.

Not long after this but if luck for Flyers Basingstoke did take the lead. A shot come pass landed at the feet of the Basingstoke striker who managed to turn and shoot simultaneously to hook the ball into the opposite corner leaving it 1-0 to Basingstoke at half time.  

Half time saw the introduction of Lauren Pearce at right back and Lauren Townsend  and Kayleigh in the midfield with Charlotte moving to centre back. The second half was better for Flyers who hadn't underperformed in the first half by any means but seemed more confinement and created more chances in the second. 

Georgina got on the ball a lot more and proved instrumental as she weaved her way into the box before being taken down for what seemed a clear penalty challenge but it was waved away. However Georgina got on the ball soon after in a deeper position after a Basingstoke attack and played in Beth beautifully who latched onto to it before the keeper and proceeded to lob it over her head to bring the score back to 1-1.

Bryony and Charlie were also getting onto the ball more in this half whilst defending strongly and both used the space to play in Kayleigh and Georgina in the wide channels. Sadly for Flyers Basingstoke took the lead again as good work down the left saw the ball reach the far side on the box to their unmarked striker who just beat Lauren to the ball to poke it in and make it 2-1. Despite this causing a slight dip in confidence 

It was in the last quarter that Flyers created their most chances. The First falling to Kayleigh just outside the box after a Basingstoke defensive header but the shot was straight at the keeper. Then Bryony got up well at a corner but her header went wide. Then intricate play between Chaffey and Georgina saw the ball laid off the Lauren T who's strike looked defined to be on target but for a great Basingstoke block. The deadlock was finally broken for Flyers after another great ball from inside the Flyers half by Georgina found Kayleigh out on the right who in turn found Chaffey with a great cross. Despite her first shot being blocked Chaffey got a second bite of the cherry and bug the ball out expertly to bend it into the right hand corner of the goal.

With everyone tiring it was Flyers who could've nicked it at the end as another tackle from Kate saw her win the and send it up to Chaffey who turned onto her left but the shot was well saved by the keeper. The final score was 2-2 against a side a league above the Flyers. Overall a much improved performance from the team after the defeat last week and good adaptation to the diamond formation. Pre-season continues next week against Abingdon United 1sts at Chilcomb.