On the back of two 3-0 wins Westbury manager James Goddard was able to name an unchanged starting 11 for the 3rd successive match.
However, his players were undone by Cheddar’s Callum Ham who scored a well-taken 17 minute hat-trick as well as their own poor defending on 2 of the goals. Ham and George Bendle went close at either end in the opening exchanges before Ham opened the scoring on 9 minutes with a crisp 20 yard strike after fine play by Billy Vaughan.
Play flowed from end to end with Vaughan firing a 25 yarder just wide then Martin Johnson getting on the end of a set piece but being denied by Kieran Webster’s good handling.
Westbury’s Jordan Pinder erred on 18 allowing Ham the time and space to hit another excellent finish to make it 0-2. Pinder almost made immediate amends but saw his long range attempt saved by Webster.
Bendle received the ball from Johnson and reduced United’s arrears with a lovely finish of his own on 21, in the process scoring his 7th goal of the season. However, with Westbury hoping to create the chance to draw level, Ham got on the end of another fine ball by Vaughan to head his hat-trick goal on 26!
The score remained at 3-1 despite the hosts’ best efforts to try and get back into the game. Before half time Webster did well to save from Bendle after he had been set up by Jamie Jordan. At the other end Ham was playing out of his skin and almost scored a wonder goal with a fierce strike from an acute angle which flew inches wide!
United were the better team for most of the 2nd half without ever being able to force clear cut opportunities. Webster’s handling was excellent again to hold Bendle’s cross with substitute Ian Groves ready to pounce, then Bendle almost provided another opening for Johnson who chose not to shoot when well placed.
The visitors always looked likely to make the points safe on the counter attack and, after Charlie Heydon had saved from Ham and Sam King, some awful defending allowed Billy Manning to complete the scoring with 5 minutes remaining.
United’s heads didn’t drop and Jordan twice tried his luck, firstly forcing Webster into another save then curling narrowly wide while Bendle had the final attempt but saw the ball go wide.
Star man – George Bendle. Team – Charlie Heydon, Dan Price, Jordan Lawrence, Matt Jones, Jordan Pinder, James Hounsell, Jamie Jordan, Martin Johnson, Otis Young, George Bendle, Ferris Lamrabet. Subs – Pete Sturman, Ian Groves, Nathan Hallett-Young (used) Matty Mantay, Ben Forester (unused).
