Young home attacker Kieron Gleed scored a fine hattrick as his Corsham side saw off a determined Westbury.
After trailing by 2 goals at half time the visitors dominated for much of the 2nd half but were unable to get on level terms before Gleed’s 3rd goal settled the outcome.
In perfect conditions the hosts got off to a fast start and Dan Lardner and Jason Henley had both gone close before Gleed set up the opening goal on nine minutes when his corner kick was headed in by Sam Ockwell.
United were quick to equalise as the impressive Brett Partner sent in a deep cross from the left which was met by Marc Lanfear with a fine header to make it 1-1. Parity was short-lived however when Gleed broke through and lobbed the ball over the advancing Callum Hotine to restore Town’s lead.
Play became scrappy for the rest of the half with both sides limited to long range efforts that didn’t trouble either keeper; Ockwell and Henley were off target for Corsham while Gary Tugwell and Lanfear did likewise for Westbury.
Gleed put the hosts further ahead on 39 when, looking offside, he was allowed to carry on and take advantage of being allowed too much space to produce an excellent finish.
United were a different side after the break! Partner hit a great shot that flew inches wide straight after the restart and a series of set pieces had to be well defended to prevent them pulling a quick goal back. However they weren’t to be denied for long as Partner proved to be the provider again on 53 when Callum Cooper headed in an accurate corner kick.
The next half an hour saw the hosts pinned in their half for long periods and having to scramble the ball away several times, one such occasion when another Partner corner led to Lanfear having an effort blocked. Then the same players combined with Lanfear firing a 20 yarder a foot wide.
With Westbury committing more players into attack, gaps appeared, allowing Town to break and, after Ockwell and Lardner had headed over the bar, Gleed danced through to latch onto a ball over the top and claimed the match ball with a lovely finish.
*STAR MAN – Brett Partner. TEAM – Callum Hotine, Ryan Elliott, Grant Gunning, Marc Scammell, Callum Cooper, Josh Maguire, Sam Clift, Gary Tugwell, Jordan Mathews, Marc Lanfear, Brett Partner. SUBS – Tony McElhone, Adam Casserly, Jake Herd (used) Nathan Hallett-Young (unused).
