WINCHESTER City may already have scored the goal of 2018/19 – and the season hasn’t even started!

There were purrs of delight at the Simplyhealth City Ground when Oli Bailey’s cute finish sealed yesterday's 2-0 win over an Eastleigh XI containing one National League first-teamer, Joey Jones, and a rare run-out for assistant boss Ben Strevens.

Jones, a new signing from Woking, was the success story from a Spitfires’ perspective, getting through the full 90 minutes to quell concerns about an Achilles injury that had forced him off against Gillingham in midweek.

But the afternoon belonged to Winchester who, even without Jamie Barron (ill), Liam Gilbert (injured) and Rob Carr (getting married), showed encouraging signs ahead of the new Evo-Stik Division One South campaign.

They took the lead after six minutes when speed machine Simba Mlambo was brought down by Callum Baughan, inviting ex-Team Solent man Tyrell Mitford to outwit New Zealand goalkeeper Coey Turipa from the penalty spot.

Ollie Dennett spurned a golden chance to equalise after City goalkeeper Ryan Pryce had fumbled Jones’ free-kick and, having ridden their luck, City made the game safe with a sweet passing move that ended in Mitford cleverly picking out the run of Bailey, who coolly clipped the ball past the advancing keeper.

Although there was some disappointment in the Winchester camp that Eastleigh had not sent their first team, manager Craig Davis said: “In many ways this was better for us.

"It was more of a Southern League- type game in terms of tempo, rather than us having to chase around against a full-strength Eastleigh first team.

“I was really pleased with our performance. Our second was a dream goal – pass, pass, pass and a lovely finish from Oli.

“Second half, we defended well with the wind against us and it was good to close the game out. It meant something to the players to keep a clean sheet.”

AFC TOTTON bade farewell to long-serving striker Nathaniel Sherborne with a testimonial game against Bristol Rovers’ development squad at the Testwood Stadium.

Sherborne – 11 years a Stag – played the full 90 minutes and, with Totton leading 1-0 at the break thanks to Toby Adekunle’s fifth-minute volley, it looked as if he might end up on the winning side.

But Rovers scored twice in quick succession to edge the match 2-1.

Saluting Sherborne: Totton boss Louis Langdown tweeted: "End of an era for @AFCTotton. Really going to miss Sherbs. Sorry about the 93mins against a pro side to sign off!"

SOUTHERN League new boys Blackfield & Langley have signed young striker Charlie Urry from Newport IW.

Ex-Ventnor man Urry banged in 19 goals in 45 appearances for the Islanders last term.

Blackfield play their last pre-season friendly away at Wimborne Town on Friday (August 3).