IT TAKES a lot to outdo Warren Bentley in the Winchester City goalscoring stakes.

But midfield maestro Jamie Barron managed it on Saturday, scoring twice to Bentley’s once in a 3-0 Southern One South & West dismantling of Yate Town at the Denplan City Ground.

With the wet and wild weather washing out every other game in the division, Winchester manager Paul Masters was desperate to take advantage of their rivals’ inactivity and push back into the play-off zone.

City duly delivered, defying heavy rain and high winds to climb to fifth with a performance that oozed class and character in equal measure.

“I’m really pleased today, we played some good stuff,” said Masters.

“We’re three or four games behind most teams and we spoke about how important it was to get three points.

“Hopefully we’ll get a good run of Saturday-Tuesday games going now because we’ve suffered a bit in periods when we’ve not been playing.

"The defeats against Didcot and Totton came after games had been called off. It tends to take us a while to get going again and it’s cost us.”

With Bentley still regularly finding the net – Saturday’s was his 40th league and cup goal of the season – and versatile forward Craig Feeney newly arrived from AFC Totton, Winchester should never be short of firepower.

But whether that will be enough to make up the nine-point deficit on league leaders Cinderford remains to be seen.

“I’m not saying we can’t win the league, I just think Cinderford are on a great run,” said Masters. “But that’s five wins on the bounce we’ve put together now (in all competitions) and we’ve still got Cinderford to play.

“We put 11 wins together before and I’m a lot happier with the squad we’ve got now. Myself and Paul (Wiltshire, assistant) have worked hard to try and get the right people in and we’ve got a settled group now with a really good team spirit.

“If anything we’ve lacked a bit of pace, but Craig Feeney will bring us that. It was good to give him 35 minutes today, he’s looking sharp.”

City’s homework on Yate revealed a risky penchant for playing out from the back – and City duly punished them with 23 minutes gone. Goalkeeper Josh Dempsey put his defence under unnecessary pressure and Barron hungrily pounced on Greg Andrews’ slip to fire the hosts in front.

That, together with Bentley’s opportunist 18-yard strike, put Winchester two goals in the clear despite playing against the first-half elements.

Former Follands midfielder Barron crowned victory on 54 minutes, polishing off a well-worked move involving Micky Hubbard and Bentley.

City could have had more as Bentley fired over a chance that he would normally have devoured and then delivered an inviting cross which just eluded sub Feeney on his debut.

Inevitably, though, Winchester took their foot off the gas and ‘keeper Brendan Norris found himself thrust into the spotlight late on.

Having already made a crucial stop from Lewis Powell at 0-0, the young Canadian excelled with three smart saves to deny Kane Ingram, twice, and Powell again.

Saluting his match-winning heroes, Masters said: “Jamie Barron’s been good for us all season. He’s a team player who’s good in the dressing room as well.

“Brendan Norris is only a young lad, but he’s done really well for us and he made a great save down low at 0-0 today. Warren’s (Bentley) still looking sharp.”

Next up for City is Wednesday’s home match against whipping boys Bashley, who have still to bank their first point.

*AFC Totton’s scheduled trip to Shortwood United was postponed.

Steve Hollick’s men are due back in action this Saturday and could do themselves – and Winchester – a favour by beating table-topping Cinderford at the Testwood Stadium.

Winchester City: Brendan Norris, Jake Newton, Danny King, Jamie Barron, Leigh Mills, Rob Flooks, Adam Roberts (Charlie Smeeton, 73), Micky Hubbard, Zach Glasspool (Craig Feeney, 57), Warren Bentley, Matt Benham (Harlan Basker, 76). Sub (not used): Dom Cope.

Referee: Ben Cobb

Attendance: 126