WESTBURY United are through to their first cup final in 30 years after a thrilling 3-2 win in the Wiltshire Premier Shield semi-final last week.
Goals from Charlie Walton, Toby Dolton-Cole and Dan Price earned United victory against their Southern League rivals Melksham Town.
Joint mangers Ricky Hulbert and Lewis Porter said, “What an incredible night for the club! Yes, we haven’t won anything just yet, but to get to a cup final for the first time in so long is a massive achievement for us; the performance of the lads was top drawer. They produced their very best when it really mattered, we can’t praise them enough. Every single member of the squad contributed to what was a really good win.
“Anyone who was there will say we should have taken some more chances and made the game more comfortable, but Melksham are full of top players and they kept coming at us. The character was huge after conceding. We’re delighted for Pricey getting his goal, he’s got some stick about not scoring this season, and he’s told us he’ll save it for the big games – and boy did he!
“Walts’ goal was what he’s all about, great feet in the box, positive and hitting a wonder strike. And obviously really happy for Toby getting the winner, another excellent finish, showing what he’s all about- pace, direct and finishing; he’s only been with us for two weeks and has already got the winner in a semi-final!
“Walking off the pitch seeing all of our supporters clapping us off really hit home, this was as much about them as it was about us and the players. They deserve it, along with Sam, Chris, Vicky, Laura, Simon and all of the committee. That was a really special moment and I can’t wait to see everyone at the final. We’ve had some lovely messages from all sorts of people and they mean the world.
“Cup finals don’t come around very often, come and be part of it with us!”
United will now either play League 2 side Swindon Town, or Southern League Premier side Salisbury, in the final at the County Ground in Swindon in May.
The chairman of Westbury United, Sam Gooding, says that playing in a cup final is the reward for four years of hard work by the players and management.
“As a club it is a massive achievement to reach not only a cup final, but a cup final where a number of the clubs involved are from a higher league than ourselves,” said Sam. “For the management team and group of players it is fitting reward for all their effort and hard work over not only the last 12 months, but the three to four years they have been together.
“Everyone associated with the club is buzzing from the result and already looking forward to finishing the season with a cup final at The County Ground in Swindon.”
The club played tribute to its fans saying, “We would like to say a massive thank you to our brilliant supporters for being there and braving the cold; you really were our 12th man, and it means so much that you’re sharing this journey with us!”
The final will take place on Tuesday 9th May at Swindon Town’s County Ground against the winners of the second semi final between Salisbury and Swindon Town who meet on 28th March. The Wiltshire Shield is a cup competition for the highest placed clubs in Wiltshire from professional to Step 5, including Swindon Town from League 2.
