The players of Westbury United and Hengrove Athletic got together just before kick off to participate in the FA’s ‘Football Remembers’ initiative to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the First World War ceasing at Christmas time when the British and German troops played football.
Hengrove largely cruised to victory in this match that was played on a freezing cold afternoon at Meadow Lane. After home keeper Callum Hotine had saved an early 30 yarder from Mark Fear Athletic opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Scott Lewis looped a fine header over Hotine.
Asa White doubled the visitor’s lead on 27 by bundling the ball over the line at a corner kick, however Grant Gunning’s fine corner kick set up Nathan Hallett-Young who powered a header into the net two minutes later to make it 1-2 but that was as good as it got for the hosts.
United had a period of pressure with a few good moves having no end product as both Brett Partner and Callum Cooper’s efforts were easy for visiting keeper Liam MacFarlane.
Hotine did well to save from Luke Picton and Elliott Saunders before half time, but he had no chance after the break when Luke Picton scored a marvellous 18 yard bicycle kick to open up a 1-3 lead just before the hour.
Lewis showed good skill to set up his sides’ final goal on 67 and it was all too easy for Mark Fear to prod in at the far post.
Westbury substitute Jordan Mathews notched his 2nd penalty kick in consecutive games late on after being fouled by White but it was too little too late.
*STAR MAN – Scott Lewis (Hengrove Athletic). TEAM – Callum Hotine, Josh Maguire, Grant Gunning, Dan Hurkett, Callum Cooper, Nathan Hallett-Young, Harry Hamlin, Mitch Spackman, Marc Lanfear, Brett Partner, Matt Mead. SUBS – Mark Young, Jordan Mathews, Sam Clift (all used).
Team of the Day: Westbury United have been presented with a certificate from the regional Sunday Independent newspaper to mark being awarded Team of the Day on Saturday 22nd November after beating Oldland Abbotonians 2-0.
