Toolstation Premier. Wed. 26th December Westbury United 0-1 Bradford Town
Westbury’s incredible unbeaten league run came to an end on a frustrating Boxing Day lunch time at Meadow Lane. The encounter was watched by a crowd of 445.
There was little quality on show, either from the players or the match officials, as time wasting tactics helped Bradford irk their hosts and the referee made a rod for his own back by issuing a few unnecessary early yellow cards that paved the way for a stop-start encounter where the caution count entered double figures.
Dan Kovacs had a wonderful opportunity to give United an early lead when Will Stead’s header into the box was handled by Jamie Lyons. Kovacs took the resulting spot kick but it was weak and easy for Adam Forster. Lyons went on to be his side’s best player.
Westbury had to defend strongly to prevent Town scoring from a series of set pieces and a fracas led to both Steve Hulbert and Ian Jeffery being booked. Another free kick wasn’t fully cleared and Ed Baldy did well to save Simon Prangley’s 18 yard attempt.
The only goal of the game came on 21 minutes and was a rare moment of quality when Matt Morris struck a brilliant free kick into Baldy’s top right-hand corner.
Dan Jordan had a superb match and it was he who tackled Charlie Maddison as the Bradford striker ran towards the box. Westbury’s best move of the match came shortly before the break. Steve Hulbert won a header in midfield and the ball went to Kovacs, then onto Callum Demkiv whose pace took him forward where he played the ball inside to Josh Ferguson who hit a fine 25 yarder which was well saved by Forster!
United were forced into a reshuffle either side of half time after injuries to Steve Hulbert and Ian Jeffery. Dan Jordan took over the captaincy, with Jordan Pinder and Joe Stradling entering the fray.
Stradling gave Westbury a more attacking threat and was involved in several good moves. However, chances were at a premium at both ends as Bradford’s time-wasting and the referee’s over officiousness both got worse!
Baldy had to make 2 routine saves from Martin Lenihan in quick succession and as Westbury changed to a 3-4-3 formation, play opened up.
Leon Greenland was booked for a rash challenge on Demkiv just as the latter looked set to break free, then Dan Price headed over at a corner with headlines awaiting him had it gone in.
Ricky Hulbert came within millimetres of preserving the unbeaten run but his header during a penalty area scramble found the crossbar. Then a minute later, Stradling raced in from the left and sent a fine drive just over the bar. That was as good as it got for Westbury. To make matters worse Pinder received 2 yellow cards and therefore a red in a minute when only a caution would have sufficed.
*Star Man; Dan Jordan. Team; Ed Baldy, Jamie Jordan, Ian Jeffery, Will Stead, Dan Price, Dan Jordan, Josh Ferguson, Steve Hulbert, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. Subs; Jordan Pinder, Joe Stradling, Joe Kirkpatrick (used) George Bendle, Lewis Porter (unused).
