Touray strike brings three points (From Andover Advertiser)

Jamboys move to fifth after away day victory

2:06pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in Football By Sports editor Kerry Miller

Pewsey Vale 1 Whitchurch United 2.

A SUPERB solo goal from Pa Touray midway through an enthralling second half gave Whitchurch United victory at a chilly Pewsey Vale on Tuesday night and lifted them to fifth in the Wessex League Division One.

It was no more than they deserved after a night when manager Jim Macey had to change tactics more than once and his side were forced to endure an agonising eight minutes of injury time.

“We deserved the win but we were a bit lazy in the first half and I let them know it” admitted Macey after, adding “The second half was a battle and I an obviously pleased with the result.”

The Jamboys went with a five man midfield to attempt to counter the flair of the home side who have recovered from a poor start to the campaign and now hover just below the top six and after Sam Argent tested home keeper Louie Latouche, ‘Church stopper Tom Hindmarsh brought out a fabulous fingertip save to deny David Cope.

With snow in the air Whitchurch took the lead just short of the half hour when Argent was bundled over in the box and he made no mistake from the spot making it three in three for the young striker. Pewsey responded with Tom Ritchie rattling the bar with a curling half volley and Adam Everiss went close before Argent missed from close range when he should have done better.

Adam Pearson cleared a header off the line near the break as Whitchurch were full value for their lead.

Macey introduced Paul Coventry soon after the restart as the team went to 4 4 2 but the home side began with more passion and twice Dan Sloan went close.

As the pace and temperatures rose Coventry and Argent tested LaTouche but when the ball broke in midfield Touray was on hand to instinctively lob him from way out and that seemed to be the game.

Pewsey had other ideas, however and within two minutes the impressive Ritchie had nodded in a Sloan corner to put his side back in it as the Whitchurch defence switched off.

With both teams fired up the play was end to end and with the best move of the game Isaac Sedu escaped down the right and fired in a cross which Coventry just failed to meet.

With five minutes of normal time left Louis Macey and Luke Walker were thrown on to see out the game but referee Rudi Burton prolonged the agony until the bitter end.

“Pa owed us that goal” said Macey after the game “he hasn’t had the best of seasons but that was special. I stuck Paul Coventry on early to frighten them and that seemed to work.”

Tomorrow ‘Church go to Petersfield who are five points ahead of them but having played a game more and they expect to have Ashley Childs and Reio Francis available again. Then on Tuesday they travel to Fleet Town for their Basingstoke Senior Cup tie.

Sports editor Kerry Miller