Oldland Abbotonians 1-2 Westbury Utd – Toolstation Div One, Sat 22nd March

WESTBURY picked up a fine away win at lowly Oldland in a game of 2 halves ; the first was largely dour and scrappy, the second open and with plenty of chances as well as a bizarre 4 minute appearance by United substitute DJ Wheeler that saw him score and get sent off! 

The visitors also saw defender Matt Jones stretchered off and taken to hospital with a serious leg injury. As a result midfielder Marc Scammell dropped back into defence with Charlie Walton coming on in midfield.

The best chance of the opening period fell to Wayne Wheeler who forced Ryan Perry in the Abbots’ goal to save in a one on one situation. Perry also did well to catch Mark Young’s free kick and then tip over a deflected shot by Wayne Wheeler.

Oldland only had one chance before half time and that came in injury time due to the innocuous incident that led to Jones’ leaving the pitch, Haydn Conlan got himself into the penalty area and rolled the ball wide with just Rob Brown to beat.

Westbury got off to a great start after the break with Joe Moloney’s second goal in consecutive matches putting them ahead when he ran into the box and cleverly lobbed Perry from an acute angle.

His team mates were unable to do likewise however as Perry excelled to deny Wayne Wheeler and Young who both broke through but found the keeper in fine form.

The Abbots threatened most down their left wing and it was Lucas Hart who worked space for a curling shot which Brown saved well.

DJ Wheeler came on as a substitute on 67 and doubled his side’s lead on 69 when, after showing good skill and shooting powerfully only to see Perry save his shot, he was on hand to receive the ball from Young when the resulting corner was only half cleared before producing a fine finish.

There was then an ugly incident where home midfielder Tom Hutton pushed DJ Wheeler who took exception and went into Hutton with his head leading to him receiving a straight red card to end a bizarre 4 minute appearance!

Oldland stepped up the pressure and it took strong defending by Nathan Hallett-Young, Matt Friendship and Marc Scammell in particular to try to keep them at bay. They did manage to pull a goal back on 82 when Liam Planter broke forward to get on the end of a quick move, but in trying to equalise they found Brown in good form to deny Conlan and Hart.

*Star Man: Matt Friendship.

TEAM – Rob Brown, Nathan Hallett-Young, Ryan Elliott, Matt Friendship, Matt Jones, Marc Scammell, Mark Young, Dan Hurkett, Wayne Wheeler, Joe Moloney, Kyle Box. SUBS – Charlie Walton, DJ Wheeler, Alex Shaftoe (used) Matty Bown (unused).