SOUTHERN Division One South side Winchester City FC have secured their spots in the playoffs after a 2-1 win against Exmouth Town last Saturday.
Exmouth originally took the lead after just five minutes, but Tom Bragg would equalise just 20 minutes later, with the sides level at the break.
It would get even worse for Winchester, with captain Luke King being sent off just three minutes into the second half after a last man challenge. However, Olly Balmer would pounce on a mistake and assist Brad Waters, giving Winchester a 2-1 lead which they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
Results elsewhere mathematically secured the Citizens’s place in the top five, after Bishops Cleeve’s 3-0 loss to Falmouth Town.
Speaking after the game, manager Craig Davis said:
Confirming their place in the playoffs gives them a chance of promotion into step three, playing in the Southern Premier Division South, which they were only relegated from the season prior.
“It was our objective at the start of the season, to bounce back and give ourselves a chance of promotion.”
Davis’s side still have one game left to play in the season, facing Bristol Manor Farm at the Charters Community Stadium on Saturday at 3PM. Although their playoff spot is secured, there is still something to play for, with their finishing position determining who they will play against in the playoffs.
Their possible opponents will either be Portishead Town or Malvern Town, with the two sides sat on 92 points, with Portishead facing champions Frome Town whilst Malvern will host 12th place Swindon Supermarine.
