TWP evenly matched sides produced a somewhat drab local derby which only came to life late on when Westbury were awarded a penalty which led to their equaliser.
With Simon Millard and Jack Metcalf marshalling the respective defences, as well as home midfielders Dan Hurkett and Marc Scammell cancelling out their visiting counterparts Mark Breffitt and Kurt Hammonds, there was little action of note for most of the match, with only fleeting glimpses of good attacking play especially by Warminster’s Louis Sparey.
After United’s Nick Taylor got on the end of a Millard set piece and saw an 18 yard half volley clip the crossbar, Warminster were the better side in the first half and took the lead on 23 minutes. A deep corner kick fell to Paul Farrell who crossed the ball back in to the unmarked Kurt Hammonds and he headed it into the net.
Soon after, Sparey showed good pace before crossing to Tom Golledge and his fine header was excellently saved by Alex Shaftoe. At the other end Carl Crabtree did equally well to deny Wayne Wheeler when he struck a 25 yard free kick.
Sparey came to the fore early in the 2nd half and had 2 opportunities to put Town further ahead; firstly attempting a long range lob which fell wide of the target, then unleashing a fierce 30 yarder that flew inches wide.
United were offering little in attack and the closest they came was when Wheeler curled in a set piece that just eluded the onrushing Scammell and Ryan Elliott.
With time running out Westbury changed formation from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2 and Millard, by this time playing in attack, was fouled by Steve Perkins and the referee gave a rather soft spot kick. Shaftoe took responsibility and stepped forward to take the kick which was excellently saved onto his left hand post by Crabtree but the ball rebounded to Mark Young who thumped it in to equalise.
TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Ally Bradley, Ryan Elliott, Ryan Earney, Callum Cooper, Simon Millard, Nick Taylor, Marc Scammell, Joe Murray, Wayne Wheeler, Dan Hurkett.
SUBS – Mark Young, Charlie Walton (used) Jake Herd, Matt Dyer, Luke Stanley (unused).
*STAR MEN – Simon Millard (Westbury United) & Jack Metcalf (Warminster Town).
