Almondsbury UWE 0-1 Westbury United – Toolstation Division One, Sat. 6th August

An away win, a clean sheet and a debut for George Bendle who is only 16 years and 13 days old equals a very good start to the season for Westbury. 

Goddard led his team to a fine well deserved 1-0 win against Almondsbury UWE FC. The win would had been by a bigger margin but for the inspired form of Almondsbury Goalkeeper Matt Semple, Semple positioned himself well early on to force Westbury striker to shoot into the side netting.

The game was pretty even up until the 32nd minute when Ian Groves played in Grant Gunning, the flying wing-back broke through and tried to chip Semple but he made and outstanding save on the edge of his area. Westbury finished the first half the stronger team.

Almondsbury came out for the second half and forced an early save from Westbury keeper Charlie Heydon who tipped the looping header onto the bar. Almondsbury remained on top until Goddard made his first change, Nathan Hallet-Young was on to replace Grant Gunning, Almondsbury’s left back must have been glad to see the back off Gunning only for 5 minutes later to be involved in a 75yard foot race with Hallet-Young, reminiscent of Gareth Bale in the 2014 Copa Del Rey final, Hallet-Young raced away but as a true team player he chose to cross instead of going for goal like Bale, Ian Groves’ perfectly timed run meant he arrived at the back post with an open goal in front of him, Groves who was cool, calm and collected, slotted home to score Westbury’s first goal of the season.

Westbury sat back and made it difficult for Almondsbury, Westbury played on the break and carved a couple of good chances, one for young Bendle and another for Marc Scammell but neither could beat Semple. Westbury marshalled by the superb Jake Stephenson managed to see the match out 1-0.

Star Man: Jake Stephenson. Team: Charlie Heydon, Ian Groves, Grant Gunning, George Bendle, James Hounsell, Matt Jones, Jordan Lawrence, Matthew Mantay, Dan Moore, Jake Stephenson, Peter Sturman, Nathan Hallet-Young (sub), Marc Scammell (sub), Ed Leeson (sub).

All matches in Toolstation Western League, First Division.

Saturday 13th August

Hengrove Ath. (A), 3pm

Tuesday 16th August

Wincanton (H), 7.30pm

Saturday 20th August

Chard Town (A), 3pm

Wednesday 24th August

Corsham (A), 7.45pm

All matches free for armed forces

MEMBERS of the armed forces can attend all Westbury United FC’s league matches for free again this season.

All serving men and women in HM Armed Forces can attend games in the Toolstation Western League free of charge for the 2016/17 season. Proof of ID will be required at the gate.

Normal entry fees are Adults £5, Senior Citizens £3, Under 16’s £2.50.