Tues 15th Feb. Hellenic League Premier Division Westbury United 3-2 Chipping Sodbury
ANOTHER thriller at Meadow Lane as the second of two brilliant Ashton Shanley free kicks won the match for Westbury in the 94th minute!
Another thriller at Meadow Lane as the second of two brilliant Ashton Shanley free kicks won the match for Westbury in the 94th minute!
United had gone ahead early on, opened up a 2-0 lead just after half time but were then pegged back by a quick-fire double strike before Shanley’s late wonder goal.
The Sods went close straight from the kick off with Mark Bowden saving well from George Neill, then after just four minutes visiting keeper Callum Brain saved from Jack Biddescombe but the ball fell to Harvey Flippance whose crisp shot went in to open the scoring.
Brain was very busy in the next ten minutes, making four saves from as the hosts threatened to run riot!
At the other end Dan Price had to be alert to head clear then Ellis McSharry’s control was poor when he was well placed to shoot.
A Shanley corner found a teammate’s head but the goal was disallowed for a foul and soon after Shanley was involved again, playing a clever through ball which Flippance wasn’t quite able to get to.
Chipping Sodbury were the better side towards the break, Jake Hutchings did well to usher away a dangerous move and Sol Pryce swerved a free kick narrowly wide.
United doubled their advantage on 47; Biddescombe cut in from the left and saw his effort handballed, Shanley curled a beautiful free kick beyond Brain.
Dan Kovacs almost extended the lead but his 20-yard shot missed the target and from then on Sodbury went all out to get back into the match; Bowden denied Neill with a fine parry but moments later a penalty was awarded for a foul which Pryce smashed in to reduce his side’s arrears.
A crazy period of play saw United defend for their lives. Bowden made a fingertip save from Neill then four attempts (three shots, one header) were blocked in about ten seconds.
Suddenly however it was 2-2 on 60. Bowden saved well again but this time Ibrahima Diallo’s cross found Adey Harvey whose bullet header flew into the net. Kovacs, Flippance and Sam Jordan all had efforts as Westbury searched for a winner while the Sods kept looking threatening from fine balls which United defended well.
Just as it looked like ending all square a free kick was given to Westbury 25 yards from goal and Shanley, already likely to be star man, made sure with an outstanding winning strike.
Star man; Ashton Shanley. Team; Mark Bowden, Jake Hutchings, Steve Hulbert, Dan Price, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Will Thomson, Harvey Flippance, Dan Kovacs, Jack Biddescombe, Jamie Jordan. Subs; Sam Jordan, Callum Demkiv, Ricky Hulbert (used) Kurt James, Ed Baldy (unused)
Pictured above: The team celebrating a well-earned victory.
