Sat 5th Feb. Hellenic League Premier Division Chipping Sodbury Town 1 Westbury United 6
IN testing windy conditions, dominant Westbury put six past Chipping Sodbury, getting a valuable three points on a day where other teams around them dropped points.
On a superb day for The Whitehorsemen, they rose from eighth place to fifth, and now sit three points behind second place Bradford, with three games in hand.
The early team news was that flying full back Ryan Bole made the matchday squad for the first time in almost two months, Joe Stradling was rested from the starting line-up – still nursing an ankle knock he’s been bravely playing on for a few weeks, and influential vice-captain Ben Griffiths unfortunately missed out after picking up an injury against Malvern last week.
Playing against the strong wind for the first half didn’t seem to faze Westbury. After a couple half-chances missed from Dan Price and Will Thomson, they took the lead on minute five. On a difficult pitch, the combination play from Biddiscombe, Flippance and Sammy Jordan was a joy to watch, which freed up Callum Demkiv to run through and finish emphatically with a curling effort.
Not long after, a strong tackle from Steve Hulbert in the left back position launched a counter-attack up the pitch, eventually forcing a corner to Westbury. Ashton Shanley drilled in a delightful ball, right onto the head of man-mountain skipper Price to head home.
However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic as the home side pulled a goal back in the 25th minute. Using the wind to his advantage, the Sodbury corner taker whipped the ball into a dangerous area, where their number four was left unmarked to head home.
Joint managers Ricky Hulbert and Lewis Porter were clearly unhappy with the way they conceded and demanded an immediate reaction. Westbury responded with Shanley having a free-kick blocked after a foul of Flippance, and Demkiv almost finding Sammy Jordan when two vs one against their last man. But more resolute defending from Sodbury and the tough conditions made the first half fizzle out with Westbury leading 2-1.
Westbury knew their performance levels could increase a few gears, and with the wind playing in their favour they wanted a fast start to prevent an uncomfortable second half.
Ricky and Lewis got what they asked for, as only two minutes into the second half, Westbury’s assist machine Ashton Shanley whipped in a pinpoint free kick that found the sliding boot of captain Price at the back post for his second of the match.
An excellent start to the half continued with big Ron Frost winning a towering header in midfield, which turned into a perfect through ball that Sammy Jordan latched onto, and finished decisively with this left foot.
On the hour mark Westbury should have made it five. Lovely interplay from the dynamic front-three of Demkiv, Sammy and Flippance led to Will Thomson having a free shot on the edge of Sodbury’s box. Somehow, Thomson got the power in his cramp-filled legs to shoot over wildly, endangering the animals in the nearby farmer’s field.
Yet again, Ron Frost ran through brick walls for the team, but unfortunately picked up a nasty injury leaving a sizeable hole in his leg. Physio Will Bundy’s treatment of a splash of cold water didn’t appear to heal the injury, forcing Stradling to come on for (Baby) Ron.
On minute 68 captain Price wrote himself into the Westbury United history books. Yet again, the pitbull Harvey Flippance was causing all sorts of problems for the Sodbury defence, and won his side a penalty. With Pricey already on 2 goals for the day (and an impressive record of penalties in training), the ball was given to him to attempt to seal his perfect hat-trick. As you may have seen with the videos floating around social media, Price confidently steps up and thumps the ball high into the roof of the net. An unbelievable achievement from the centre-half and a day to remember for himself and the club.
Shortly after Westbury made their final two substitutions. Price was substituted to a standing ovation from the Westbury supporters and bench, being replaced by Kurt James. Then Westbury’s Player of the month for January, Harvey ‘Rooney’ Flippance unfortunately couldn’t add to his eight goals in seven appearances and on came the returning iceman Dan Kovacs.
Westbury stayed professional and kept pushing for goals, and found their sixth in the 81st minute. Yet another Ashton Shanley set-piece delivery found Steve Hulbert at the back post, who bravely slid in to convert.
In the dying moments, a precise cross from the former-winger-now-defender Biddiscombe found Sammy Jordan at the back post. Sammy somehow lept and acrobatically connected with an overhead kick that cannoned of the post, with newly appointed vice-vice-captain Joe Stradling just missing a touch on the rebound.
The full-time whistle went with the match finishing 6-1 to Westbury after a strong, clinical performance.
Star Man: Dan Price. Team: Ed Baldy, Jake Hutchings, Steve Hulbert, Ronnie Frost, Dan Price, Ashton Shanley, Jack Biddiscombe, Will Thomson, Harvey Flippance, Callum Demkiv, Sam Jordan
SUBS; Joe Stradling, Dan Kovacs, Kurt James (used) Ryan Bole, Ricky Hulbert (unused)
Report by Ben Griffiths
