Beardwell shines in impressive win

Southern League Division One South – Saturday 28th December – Westbury United 3-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins

A comprehensive home win for Westbury who continued their steady rise up the league. This was another fine all-round performance, including a good debut by Jack Witcombe.

Joe Beardwell and Brad Selwood had early shots that both went over the crossbar, however the match was marred by a serious looking injury to Westbury striker Josh Jenkins with medical staff from both clubs attending to him.

After a lengthy delay it took a while for things to get going, however towards the half hour Beardwell headed wide then Bevan Cross hit a great low half volley that bounced back off the post.

Former United keeper Jonny Hill saved well from Beardwell then at the other end Redman Evans denied William Brackley.

Beardwell got in again on 45 minutes and rifled an unstoppable shot past Hill to open the scoring.

Hill did well to save from Cross just after the break but he was beaten again by Beardwell soon after as the hosts doubled their lead.

Bemerton had their best spell of the match midway through the second half, including Evans tipping wide from Gregory Borthwick. United thought they had added to their advantage after bundling the ball over the line from a Ryan Bole corner but it was disallowed for a foul.

Captain Bole urged his side to keep going, Beardwell and Cross continued to threaten and, soon after Cross had fired narrowly off target, they combined to complete the scoring on 80; Cross was fouled and a penalty given from which Hill denied Beardwell his hat-trick however Cross nipped in to net on the rebound.

Star Men: Joe Beardwell & Bevan Cross.

Team: Redman Evans, Ryan Bole, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Restorick, Brad Selwood, Aaron Witchell, Joe Beardwell, Jack Witcombe, Bevan Cross, Will Taylor, Josh Jenkins. Subs: Ed Butcher, Joel Smedley, Jake Hutchings, Ashton Shanley, Leon Greenland (all used)