Sat. 18th December. Hellenic League Premier Division Westbury United 5 Bishops Cleeve 2
AN incredible afternoon at Meadow Lane where two in-form sides went all out and produced an absolute thriller!
Westbury went into the match protecting a 10 match unbeaten run while Cleeve arrived with a 9 point lead at the top of the table having lost just once!
The visitors’ intentions were clear from the off as they dominated the opening minutes and took an early lead when Jack Watts showed good skill before finishing from the edge of the box. Watts forced Dan Price into a skewed clearance over his own crossbar then a counter attack led to an attempt going off target.
Striker Harvey Flippance ultimately had a memorable home debut but he was frustrated to clip the post rather than equalise after racing through one-on-one with Luke Merchant in the away goal. Jack Biddescombe went on a pacy run from his own half right to the corner flag before sending in a deep cross that went unrewarded with both Flippance and Ricky Hulbert running to the front post.
United deservedly drew level on 28 ; Ricky Hulbert ran onto a ball over the top and took advantage of an error by Merchant to lift the ball into the net.
Westbury had a fabulous spell of football in the next 10 minutes and somehow failed to score. Flippance had the ball in the net after fine play by Joe Stradling but it was disallowed for offside, he then arrived on the end of a good move by the Hulbert brothers only to put it wide.
Another rapid move saw half chances for Ben Griffiths and Flippance which were well defended by the Cleeve back line.
The Bishops got back on top, forcing several corners from which attempts were blocked in the 6 yard box then soon after Mark Bowden made a good save.
Flippance was in the action again just before the break, receiving the ball from Ricky Hulbert, he lashed it narrowly wide from 25 yards.
Level at 1-1 there was no let-up in the attacking play from both teams in the second half. Early on Flippance met Ashton Shanley’s cross but headed wide, then at the other end Jake Hutchings did superbly to race back and clear the ball off the line after a visiting player had beaten Bowden to it.
Westbury were awarded a penalty on 54 when Flippance was fouled, Stradling smashed the spot kick down the middle and Merchant’s palmed touch wasn’t able to keep it out.
Watts went close to an equaliser with a fine turn and strike being denied by Price heading the ball clear.
Steve Hulbert tried his luck from long range but the ball flew wide then Cleeve went close again as Bowden saved from Sam Blackie.
Play was open, exciting, flowing and was summed up by Bowden saving Watts’ header and Shanley shooting wide within seconds of each other. Flippance had another glorious opportunity but Merchant saved with his legs. This was vital because with 79 minutes played Bishops Cleeve were given a penalty of their own for a foul on Watts who stepped up and drew his side level at 2-2.
There was no let up from either side and it was United who had a ridiculous 5 minutes by netting 3 times! Flippance arrived to pounce on the end of a ball into the box to make it 3-2, Ronnie Frost’s long throw was only half cleared to Stradling who rifled in the 4th and then, after Merchant had saved from Demkiv, Flippance was on hand to complete the scoring.
Cleeve nearly got a 3rd goal but Griffiths did well to block an effort as did Bowden with a save.
Demkiv thought he had scored a 6th in the closing stages but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Star Man ; Harvey Flippance. Team: Mark Bowden, Ben Griffiths, Steve Hulbert, Jake Hutchings, Dan Price, Ashton Shanley, Ronnie Frost, Joe Stradling, Ricky Hulbert, Harvey Flippance, Jack Biddescombe . Subs: Callum Demkiv (used) Kurt James, Joey Cunningham, Josh Timbrell, Ed Baldy (unused).
