Substitutes star as Henry Brooks and Daniel Neild help Winchester City progress in the FA Cup

Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’ZNgDckd-Qh99cRXVYCrcrg’,sig:’GmAh68StC2lMCy9MOxDIGgYMgcFqWPVsa2uO0wrpyVU=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1357108009′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});

Henry Brooks and Daniel Neild scored their first competitive goals for Winchester City as the Citizens cruised into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup following a 5-1 victory at Baffins Milton Rovers.

The two substitutes combined elegantly to illustrate the two-league gulf in quality between the Citizens and the Rovers putting an end to the hosts’ best-ever FA Cup run.

First-half goals from Max Smith and Silvano Obeng gave the visitors a platform for the two youngsters to express themselves in the second half.

A goal each from the two summer signings Brooks and Neild as well as an own goal created by Brooks secured a five-goal and five-star performance for Winchester City on Friday evening.

The Citizens manager Craig Davis was understandably impressed with both players’ contributions off the bench.

Davis said:

“The subs that came on did really well, it shows the strength in-depth of the squad with lots of key players missing, I thought Brooksy and Neildy did really well when they came on.

“It was a good win especially as I can guarantee other teams in our division will slip up this weekend, the fixture had all the materials for an upset especially on a Friday night which makes it difficult, but we played some good football especially as the game wore on.”

Summer signings become substitute stars

We are delighted to announce that @Henry_Brooks7 has signed a contract with @wincityfc. ??⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ekqTneYw11

— Winchester City FC (@wincityfc) May 18, 2022

Henry Brooks was introduced in the 53rd minute and within five minutes added a third goal pouncing onto a loose pass back to the goalkeeper Roux Hardcastle and tap into the empty.

Swiftly after the goal, former Weymouth midfielder Neild was also introduced onto the pitch as the visitors turned on the style.

The 20-year-old won the U23’s Young Player of the Year and Manager’s Player of the Year last season while the Terras were in the National League, however left in search of regular first-team football to showcase his ability in the men’s game.

Congratulations to Dan Neild who was awarded both Manager’s and Player’s Player of the Year for the U23’s side. ??

These awards were sponsored by John Lee and Refrigeration Specialists Ltd. ?

Well done Dan! ?#UpTheTerras pic.twitter.com/VoUWcCtHy2

— Weymouth FC (@theterras) May 7, 2022

In his first action, the central midfielder went on a darting run down the left flank, turning three defenders inside and out,  giving the Rovers a warning of what was to follow in the final half an hour.

Neild added the crucial thrust in the middle of the park to accompany the neat passing play of the Southern League Premier South side.

Baffins Milton Rovers were bereft of ideas on how to counter the driving runs through the midfield from Neild, opting to drop deeper and deeper to protect the space left in behind.

Although, that did little to stop the 20-year-old from bursting through the Rovers’ defence for his first clear sight of goal, a deft clipped effort beyond the onrushing keeper looked destined for the bottom corner until a bobble off the surface diverted the ball onto the post.

The hosts’  low defensive line was further exposed by Brooks who stuck to the sideline making the pitch as wide as possible and stretching the defence.

It was that exact combination that led to the fourth goal.

Smith drove through the midfield as the Rovers’ defence backed off, the ball eventually found its way to the right-flank with Brooks. He had time to lift his head and pick out Neild making a late run into the box and the midfielder swept the ball home with a lovely first-time curling effort into the bottom corner from 18-yards out.

A Charlie Oakwell penalty gave Baffins Milton Rovers a consolation goal in front of the 332 fans in attendance at the PMC Stadium.

However, the goalscoring action was rounded off by his teammate Francis albeit in the wrong net.

Brooks was again left all alone on the right touchline 35-yards out from goal, before beating two players at pace to reach the byline and whip in a dangerous low cross which cannoned off the defender and into the back of the net.

Victory means Winchester City will be ball No.93 in the second qualifying round draw on Monday and the performances of Brooks and Neild will certainly give their manager Davis some dilemmas ahead of a trip to Yate Town next weekend.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt