Player unavailability and off the pitch issues led to United having to make 10 squad changes to the side from the weekend’s win over Wellington. The 16 involved included 7 teenagers, 6 of whom were on the pitch for much of a thrilling end-to-end second half.
Westbury started quickly on a pitch slickened by a rain shower and it took a great interception by visiting defender Gary Blackwood to stop Sam Clift getting on the end of the impressive Mark Young’s pass. Corsham’s first threat of the evening came on the quarter hour mark and saw Levi Wood foul Dan Lardner and a penalty given; Levi Cox scored from the spot to open the scoring.
Both sides put together some good passing football with attacks breaking down, however Town threatened more from set pieces, with Sam Ockwell unable to divert Ben Thomson’s fine delivery into the net. Thomson brought a fine save out of Ben Forester then linked up with Dan King before seeing his 18 yarder hit the post! Thomson doubled his side’s lead on 35 when, after a period of pressure, the ball wasn’t cleared and he swept a fine finish past Forester. Town continued to create chances after half-time with Matty Jenkins heading off target and Forester making an excellent save from Ryan Tyrell’s header; United got going with a rapid counter attack which led to a corner that Clift headed over, however they reduced their arrears in great style on 58 when Wood showed good pace from the halfway line and sent in a low cross that Clift smashed past Mark Billingsley to make it 1-2.
Forester did well again to prevent Thomson after he had made another skilful run and, despite having to make two substitutions due to injury, Westbury should have equalised when Mark Young’s excellent interplay with Max Whittaker ended with him shooting into the side netting.
Another fine move between the same two players set up Otis Young whose header went over before Cox fluffed a chance from 6 yards at the other end!
The visitors settled the outcome with a superb clinching goal when Aaron Ledgister struck with a long range free kick on 72, however more brilliant play from Mark Young and Whittaker almost set up another for the hosts.
*STAR MAN – Mark Young. TEAM – Ben Forester, Doug Dickson, Grant Gunning, Adam Kenich, Marc Scammell, Dave Macey, Levi Wood, Matt Mantay, Mark Young, Sam Clift, Tony McElhone. SUBS – Josh Wozniak, Max Whittaker, Otis Young, Callum Gilbert, Tim Shaw (unused).
