The Step 3 visitors, who finished mid-table of the Premier South Southern League in 2023-24, were in stark contrast to the side that Chi beat away three years ago in the preliminary round of the FA Cup thanks to goals from Scott Jones, Ethan Prichard and Gicu Iordache.
Here, Lloyd Rowlatt and Isaac Bello returned as the hosts made a couple of changes to the starting XI that won at Broadbridge Heath last time out.
Joe Moore made an excellent tackle in the opening two minutes and shot-stopper Kieran Magee then made a smart save to cut out a cross from the left.
Magee was at it again moments later to deny the No11’s left footed effort and had a drive on the turn to contend with too.
Next, Magee’s counterpart got out smartly to prevent Bello from getting in before Joe Clarke played an intelligent reverse ball.
Ben Pashley made a couple of decent tackles and then Bello headed over as Josh Clack crossed from the right.
Striker Jimmy Wild was fouled a minute or so later but the free kick came to nothing.
Effective blocks from the Chi back line snuffed out the subsequent danger and Rob Hutchings and Bello linked up down the left.
Good play from the Winchester centre forward jinking this way and that teed up a chance before the No4, who was a bit of a handful, caught Rowlatt on 18.
Magee was forced into two super saves to keep it all square – one with his feet and the other when he got a decisive touch to the No7’s lob.
Then Pashley did well to cut out a dangerous cut back but there was nothing the home side could do as they eventually fell behind at the mid-point when the right back found No7 for the opener.
Connor Cody headed over the hosts’ first corner and a Clack cross got cleared and another opportunity saved.
At the other end, Magee did well to gather a shot diverted into his arms before the No11 tried to buy a set-piece off Hutchings.
Then Magee had a crack on the turn to deal with and another as Cody’s pass was intercepted.
There was nothing the Chi custodian could do however to prevent the visitors doubling their lead in the 37th minute through No7 with his second attempt.
Clack had a late effort blocked before Magee pulled off two saves as Winchester threatened again.
Prichard, Curtis Da Costa, Mo Jammeh and Olly Munt were introduced at the break before the No10 fizzed one over 60 seconds in.
Pashley headed a free kick clear before Hutchings’ dead ball was punched away by the Winchester keeper.
Rowlatt, Prichard and Wild hooked up for a decent Munt effort and the away side’s goalie cleared after Clarke was well up.
Next, Jammeh and Prichard combined for a cross that was cut out.
Chi then won a corner which Munt took and Magee held on to No7’s delivery at the opposite end.
Wild struck one wide of the mark in the 65th minute and headed a Winchester corner away before Ryan Davidson and Jamie Horncastle replaced Emmett Dunn and Clarke.
Davidson got done for a shot that Magee tipped onto the bar and over and then the right back combined with his fellow sub for a delivery that fell to Rowlatt but didn’t trouble the keeper.
Munt wasn’t far away and the visitors’ keeper got something on Davidson’s attempt.
Prichard had a go from distance but it was palmed away for a corner which Munt took and the ball came to Prichard but he fired over.
Magee made an excellent stop from No15 but couldn’t keep his injury time set-piece out from making it 3-0.
Chi welcome Canvey Island to Oaklands Park on Saturday 10th August (Kick Off 3pm) for their first ever league encounter at Step 3.
