Westbury’s fantastic start to the season continued versus a Shepton side who had also won their opening fixture.
As against Wellington, United came back after conceding an early goal with Dan Kovacs the outstanding player of a strong all-round performance. Kovacs netted a hattrick to take his tally to 5 in 2 matches before dropping deep late on and contributing to a determined defensive display.
The hosts’ front 3 were lively from the off with Kovacs, Callum Demkiv and Ricky Hulbert carrying on their good form.
At the other end, Ed Baldy saved from Dale Hunt but he was caught in no man’s land when Luke Ingram rose to head in Ash Wilmott’s cross on 9 minutes.
Jamie Jordan and Ricky Hulbert both shot narrowly off target at the end of fine moves.
Visiting keeper Charlie Phillips misjudged a punch which allowed Demkiv to head goalwards where Kovacs nodded the ball in to make it 1-1 on the half hour.
Westbury were now on top and playing some great football; Ricky Hulbert went close again, then Finn Young sent in a fine ball which Kovacs met with a firm head to give his side a half time lead.
United carried on in the same vein after the break. Incisive attacking moves between Kovacs, Demkiv, Ricky Hulbert and Jordan, with the strikers firm in the knowledge of a strong midfield and defence to back them up.
Phillips parried Ricky Hulbert’s shot to Jordan Pinder, but his tap in was disallowed for offside.
Undeterred, they kept going and Kovacs dispossessed a defender, then scored his hattrick goal from a narrow angle on 53.
Ricky Hulbert wasn’t able to score a deserved goal, but Demkiv got himself on the scoresheet by meeting a deep free kick with a lofted header back across goal into the far corner to make it 4-1 on 59. Baldy did well to save from Tom Hill, but it was the latter whose skilful play set up Malick Jammeh to reduce Mallet’s arrears to 4-2.
Baldy prevented a nervy last 10 minutes when he showed good hands to save Tyson Pollard’s low drive and, despite the visitors having plenty of possession, Westbury’s back line was firm and well-marshalled by Steve Hulbert and Dan Jordan in addition to Kovacs’ vital interventions.
Jordan came close to adding a 5th late on, but Phillips was equal to the effort.
*Star Man ; Dan Kovacs. TEAM ; Ed Baldy, Finn Young, Ian Jeffery, Jordan Pinder, Dan Jordan, Steve Hulbert, Jamie Jordan, Joe Kirkpatrick, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. SUBS ; Francois Allen (used) Joe Stradling, Grant Gunning, Waleed Bakali, Lewis Porter (unused).
