This tie went ahead at the third time of asking and on this occasion the conditions were perfect.
Westbury had beaten National League South Salisbury City and Chippenham Town in the earlier rounds and this match saw them up against a determined young Swindon side full of good players.
United were strong from the kick-off; however the early stages were very stop-start with various stoppages.
Ben Starr set up Steve Hulbert whose volley was well saved by Charlie Summers then a flowing move by CJ Stewart, Bevan Cross and Brad Selwood led to Cross delivering to Ryan Bole who headed over.
Stewart showed good strength then played in Josh Jenkins who fired narrowly wide. Further chances came at set pieces; Jamie Jordan had numerous corners or free kicks and from two of these Dan Restorick headed wide then Cross fired over.
The Town defence was having to work hard against a fully motivated Westbury team with Bole leading from the front and Jack Witcombe dominating the midfield; Witcombe played a quality ball to Stewart who turned and hit it just over then from Summers’ kick the ball was headed by Witcombe to Stewart then onto Bole but he headed wide again!
United took a deserved lead on 39 when Starr sent in a deep cross which found Selwood and he laid off to Cross who rifled it into the centre of the goal!
Starr had a volley blocked just before the break; however after half-time Swindon came out fully intent on giving it a go.
Francis Abijo had a long-range effort blocked then a follow up cross was headed clear. A few minutes later Owen Foye played a fine ball to Harry Gray whose cross was well defended.
Selwood forced Summers into a save then a great passage of play saw Bole have a header at a Jordan free kick blocked in the six-yard box from which Stewart played the ball in and Jenkins tried a spectacular overhead that went inches wide!
Abijo got on the end of a Gray cross and his header forced Joel Manning into his only save of the match and that was as close as Swindon came.
Selwood and Jenkins were both off target with shots; however from the latter a goal kick was intercepted and the ball played to Stewart who made no mistake when one on one with Summers to double the lead on 67.
In the closing stages Restorick headed off target from another Jordan set piece then Foye was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Hulbert.
Westbury will play Wessex League Premier side Laverstock and Ford in the final after they defeated Melksham Town 2-0 in the other semi-final, full details of the final will be available soon.
Star Man; Jack Witcombe.
Team: Joel Manning, Steve Hulbert, Dan Restorick, Jack Witcombe, Brad Selwood, CJ Stewart, Ben Starr, Ryan Bole, Bevan Cross, Jamie Jordan, Josh Jenkins. Subs: Ethan Cannings, Aaron Witchell, Ethan Witchell, Ali Sen (used); Kieran Perrin, Cole Fleming, Will Taylor (unused)
With thanks to match day sponsor White Oak Windows & Doors and match ball sponsor JJ Bricklaying. If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Terry (Butch) Morgan on 07732 864085.
Report: Andy Bown; Pictures: MP Sports Photography





