A great match at a very sunny Chard where the notorious sloping pitch was in the best condition for years.
Westbury could not have played any better, knocking the ball around crisply and confidently, creating numerous chances and lacking any luck in front of goal! The latter was summed up in a few seconds in the 2nd half when a goalmouth scramble saw 3 attempts blocked on the line.
The hosts, kicking downhill first, started quickly with Oscar Latas setting up Scott Holland who miskicked the ball straight at Charlie Heydon. They then took the lead on 7 minutes when Butcher nipped onto a loose ball and produced a powerful finish.
United got into their stride soon after conceding with Dave Macey and James Hounsell at the heart of several excellent moves. Jordan Matthews proved a real threat on the left wing and he was denied a run at goal by a harsh refereeing decision for a foul on a defender.
Butcher twice went close, once narrowly off target and then forcing Heydon into a fingertip save. Westbury counter attacked and forced a corner which was headed over by Marc Scammell.
Play continued to flow from end to end and after James Regan had missed the target at one end the visitors counter attacked rapidly and Jordan Cain saw his 25 yarder fumbled by Jason Hutchings with the ball scrambled away from danger. Hutchings then made an even better save from Cain when the United player took a fine free kick.
Town should have doubled their lead before the break but Heydon made another good save when Butcher broke through then Latas missed a close range header a minute later.
The action packed play continued after half time and Westbury came within an inch of equalising straight away when Levi Wood forced Hutchings into a save. The ball rebounded to Hounsell whose effort was blocked to Cain and a free kick was conceded by the home defence as Cain looked set to shoot. Macey took a brilliant set piece which crashed off Hutchings’ right hand post. More end to end attacking followed as Butcher set up Latas who wasted a glorious opportunity, then Hutchings showed bravery to dive at the feet of substitute Dan Moore as he was about to shoot.
Chard opened up an undeserved 2-0 lead on the hour when a Butcher free kick hit United’s defensive wall and the ball found its way to Holland who produced a close range finish.
United’s determination shone through as they continued to play well and the aforementioned goalmouth scramble came a few minutes later when at a corner kick Moore, Scammell and Nathan Hallett-Young all saw efforts blocked by desperate defending!
Play became scrappy for the first time in the closing stages as Town sought to hold onto their lead and rebuff Westbury’s attacks. At the other end Latas broke free but was again off target before the visitors upped their pressure with no luck or reward. Moore missed twice with just Hutchings to beat. The keeper then excelled to turn away Ben Forester’s strike and then watched Tony McElhone’s last gasp effort fly inches wide!
*STAR MAN Dave Macey. TEAM – Charlie Heydon, Tony McElhone, Grant Gunning, Nathan Hallett-Young, Marc Scammell, Dave Macey, Jordan Cain, James Hounsell, Levi Wood, Matty Mantay, Jordan Matthews SUBS – Sam Clift, Dan Moore, Ben Forester (used) Reece Mitten, James Collett (unused)
