Whenever Saints aren't player I like to go to watch Winchester City play. Last season The Citizens had a terrific forward up front called Chris Flood (ex-QPR and Brentford) who then moved on to Basingstoke Town. To replace him, Winchester acquired New Alresford's Warren Bentley who has totally eclipsed Flood with some performances this season which beggar belief. In 35 appearances (including 31 starts) he has already bagged 43 goals. He should have had even more having been denied by some determined goal-keeping in the recent games since Christmas. When I first started followed Winchester the most noticeable thing was how difficult it seemed to be to created goal-scoring chances. This season, when Winchester beat other teams it is usually by a margin by in excess of four goals although there have been matches like the recent game at Whitchurch where the match deteriorated into chaos and they got beaten. Bentley seems instrumental in these performances with an ability to jink in between the opposition's defenders, turn and shoot at goal when apparently crowded out and play with the imagination and flair which seems to inspire his colleagues to put in some exceptional performances this season. If you want to see a lot of goals, The Den Plan is the place to go this season as the quality of football has been superb for much of 2014/15.
This probably deserves a sensible reply,but as I've never heard of him I was going to suggest a Pompey forward but apparently they're not non-league (yet).
Here's a link to the report from the last match on Friday in which Bentley scored another two goals. Winchester appear to be mirroring Saints this season with Southampton's Champions League pursuit being matched by City's push for promotion. The football played by both sides has been pure class this season:- <http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/11809011.City_cruise_to_4_0_victory_in_crunch_match/>
I'd say no, simply because there are 4 levels of non league above the Wessex League Premier. Taking a player I know well, Lee Wort of Gosport Borough as an example, he scored in excess of 50 goals for Sholing last season, but can now barely get onto the pitch for Gosport this season. Eastleigh have several Strikers with Football League experience, James Constable and Deon Burton to name two. If Bentley were to sign for a Conference club and still be as prolific, then I would have to say yes.
Bentley finished with 56 goals this season. He has signed a contract with Winchester for another season.
Saint Don I am hoping that he will be at the Den Plan next season even though he has signed a contract. There have been a couple of articles about Bentley in the Sports Echo. For what it is worth, I believe that he is ex-Saints academy and played on the same youth set up with Theo Walcott. I was told that scouts from Reading and Portsmouth had been watching him this season but I don't know how much truth there is in this. It will be fascinating in the Wessex League next season with Salisbury now managed by Steve Claridge in this same league/ Peterfields were the surprise package in 2014/5 and pipped Winchester to promotion but with Sholing looking likely to be playing in the Wessex next season, I would suggest that there will be a marked improvement in quality - albeit followers of Winchester will already have witnessed some quality football under the stewardship of ex-Saint Paul Masters.
Paul Masters managing Winchester? I played with Paul for a couple of seasons. Good player, probably would Have made the grade if it hadn't been for an horrendous knee injury while an apprentice at Saints and brother in law to Alan Shearer (assuming still married).
There has been quite a turnaround of managers at Winchester City. I didn't follow them when Glenn Cockerill was in charge and started to go regularly just at Guy Butters walked away. Paul Masters inherited a really talented squad, many of whom are ex-Saints. "Taz" Roberts is another player I admire and their former central defender Lee Mills is probably the less well known of the three siblings. The midfield player Nick Hibbard always strikes me as being a bit like Steve Davis insofar that the team always plays better when he is having a good game. I believe Mills may be returning next season. The good thing about Paul Masters is that is has engendered a brilliant team spirit within the club and, when on form, the likes of Bentley and Zach Glasspool have demolished other teams. He is a quality manager and the thing I like about the current coaching staff is that they also acknowledge the fans. Next season will be interesting as two Wessex league clubs have former Portsmouth managers at the helm. Salisbury obviously have Claridge and Graham Rix is in charge at Porchester who are seen by many as having a lot of potential. That said, I think Paul Master's Winchester team will give both a run for their money with City hopefully playing the same aggressively attacking style of football as the previous season. It has not been unusual for teams to concede 5-6 goals when up against an inspired
I don't think that Sholing will dominate the Wessex League as they did the season before last but they must be one of the favourites.
