Southern League Division One South. Saturday 16th November. Westbury United 0-1 Exmouth Town
Exmouth literally threw themselves on the line to preserve their narrow lead while Westbury came within a post’s width of snatching a late equaliser on a calm and damp afternoon.
The action on the pitch was anything but calm and damp in a game against high-flying Exmouth who sit second in the table. In just the 2nd minute, home striker Joe Beardwell set up Marcel Lewis who finished well but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Lewis was dangerous every time he got on the ball and he set up Josh Jenkins whose 20-yarder flew narrowly wide.
The only goal was scored on 14 minutes when Redman Evans made a great save to deny Nelson Iseguan but Tom Bath was able to smash in the rebound.
Town keeper Frankie Phillips saved well from Brad Selwood’s 20-yard shot.
Both sides traded spells of pressure, including numerous corners at both ends, without creating chances then the visitors thought they had a penalty for a foul by Dan Restorick on Louis Morrison; however, the assistant had flagged for offside!
The home side had a very sloppy start to the second half and were fortunate to not go further behind. Playing out from the back looks good when it works, however Westbury twice lost possession and both Ben Griffith and Bath had good opportunities, one of which brought a fine save out of Evans.
A positive for United saw Jake Hutchings make his return from injury.
Lewis and Jenkins were prominent in getting United forward without creating any clear-cut chances.
With quarter of an hour remaining an almighty scramble in the visitors’ 6-yard box saw Ryan Bole’s attempt saved and several Town defenders throwing their bodies on the goal line to block rebounds!
Evans made a fine stop to deny Griffith and in the closing stages Westbury had a right go at trying to force a draw; Phillips claimed several fine deliveries from Lewis then Beardwell’s header at a set piece came back off the post.
Team; Redman Evans, Steve Hulbert, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Restorick, Brad Selwood, Joe Beardwell, Bevan Cross, Ed Butcher, Will Taylor, Marcel Lewis, Josh Jenkins. Subs; Ryan Bole, Jake Hutchings, Leon Greenland, Joel Smedley (used) Ricky Hulbert (unused)
Report: Andy Bown; photo Martin Pearce
