Tues 31st Jan. Wiltshire Premier Shield Quarter Final. Westbury United 2 Swindon Supermarine 1
WESTBURY United have secured a place in the semi-final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield following a fierce battle with last year’s winners Swindon Supermarine. United turned last season’s semi-final result on its head with an excellent all-round performance against their Southern Premier opponents.
The first half was full of fast, open, attacking football with the 1-1 scoreline courtesy of two goals in the first seven minutes. Zackariah Kotwicka had already gone close for Marine, as had Joe Stradling for the hosts, before Stradling scored a lovely half volley to put Westbury ahead in the fourth minute.
Swindon were level soon after though when Will Tunnicliff headed in after Jonny Hill had saved from James Harding. Tunnicliff sustained an injury while netting and had to be replaced by Ryan Campbell. Ashton Shanley’s delivery was a constant threat, two free kicks led to Dan Price having an attempt blocked then Joshua Gould saving well.
Harvey Flippance showed good skill to keep the ball and work space for a shot but his effort was well blocked. The pacy Campbell and Conor McDonagh began to threaten with Hill smartly turning a cross away from danger then watching a fine strike fly narrowly wide. Sam Jordan got on the end of another great knock by Shanley but having touched and turned, his finish was off target.
After more threat by Campbell and McDonagh was well dealt with, United broke forward quickly and briefly found themselves three on two, however Sam Jordan was eventually crowded out despite the presence of Stradling and Flippance. McDonagh and Bradley Hooper had shots blocked by home defenders then Hill brilliantly tipped away Harding’s fierce strike.
After a breathless first half play after the break was more considered. To the fore for Westbury were Jack Biddiscombe and the hard-working Emmanuel Adepitan, both getting valuable game time and making the most of it. Biddiscombe played a fine ball to the advancing Steve Hulbert whose long-range drive was saved by Gould. Hulbert along with Price, Jake Hutchings and Aaron Cockerill were doing very well against dangerous opponents who stepped up their pressure as the game went past the hour. Several headers went just over, then after a neat move, Harding went close to putting Marine in front.
Westbury got forward at speed on 67 and Flippance went to ground inside the penalty area. After consultation with his assistant, the referee gave a spot kick which Hulbert expertly tucked away to make it 2-1. This was Hulbert’s third penalty in consecutive games. Cockerill was agonisingly close to increasing the lead when he met another great Shanley set piece with a powerful header.
Price made a vital clearance to prevent an equaliser, then on the break Shanley was clattered and this time Ryan Bole’s free kick was superbly tipped over his bar by Gould. Somehow the referee found almost ten minutes of added time during which Hill came to the fore, dominating his area he caught a loose ball then on 99 minutes parried away a goal bound shot.
Star men: Jonny Hill & Ashton Shanley. Team: Jonny Hill, Steve Hulbert, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Price, Jake Hutchings, Ash Shanley, Emmanuel Adepitan, Joe Stradling, Harvey Flippance, Sam Jordan, Jack Biddiscombe. Subs: Ryan Bole, Matt Morris, Martin Johnson (used) Will Thomson, Ricky Hulbert (unused) Report by Andy Brown.
Pictured: United are through to the semi-final.
