Fa Cup Preliminary Round. Sat 25th August Westbury United 3-0 Saltash United

Westbury won through into the next round of the draw after a tough encounter against a very good Saltash side.

Both teams came into the match in great form, unbeaten so far this season and after tough midweek matches with Westbury netting themselves £2,890 in prize money.

The visitors started at a great pace with top scorer Ryan Richards outstanding but he was twice denied by Ed Baldy in the home goal. The second save set the hosts onto the counter attack from which Callum Demkiv broke through one on one with Ryan Rickard with the Ashes keeper matching Baldy’s excellence! Baldy made two more fine saves from Henry Wilson’s long range strike and Callum Martindale’s fierce free kick.

Westbury got into their stride after surviving the opening half hour and captain Steve Hulbert was adamant he should have had a penalty after appearing to be fouled at an Ian Jeffery set piece. Jeffery burst forward soon after and tried his luck with a 25 yarder that was deflected wide.

Several stoppages allowed 4 minutes of added time before the break and Westbury took full advantage of being given a soft free kick; Jamie Jordan put the ball into the box where Dan Kovacs pounced for his 7th goal of the season to make it 1-0!

The hosts, with Will Stead a tower in midfield, dominated after the break and, after not being able to create any chances, Josh Ferguson’s first involvement of the season after a back injury was to latch onto a loose ball to thrash in the second goal on 54.

Saltash had no choice but to commit more players into attack in search of a comeback but they were met with staunch resistance by Steve Hulbert and co, their best attempts came from a wayward free kick and a Callum O’Brien header that Baldy saved.

Westbury looked more likely to add another goal than Saltash did to get back in the game; Stead hit a fine low shot that went just wide and Jamie Jordan headed over after a great move by Ferguson and fellow sub Francois Allen.

The Ashes were caught short at the back for the clinching goal on 81; Ricky Hulbert took advantage of a Rickard error to roll the ball towards goal, it was narrowly off target but Francois Allen retrieved it, showed patience and skill to beat several defenders then cleverly chipped in the final goal. Saltash managed to get the ball in the net late on but Lee Phillips saw his effort disallowed for offside.

Ricky Hulbert went close to adding another goal in the dying stages but found Rickard equal to his double strike.

STAR MEN ; Ed Baldy and Will Stead. TEAM ; Ed Baldy, Grant Gunning, Ian Jeffery, Will Stead, Dan Jordan, Steve Hulbert, Jamie Jordan, Jordan Pinder, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. SUBS ; Joe Stradling, Josh Ferguson, Francois Allen (used) Ryan Baggs, Morgan Skipp, Lewis Porter (unused).

Picture: Josh Ferguson’s backflip celebration after scoring Westbury Utd’s second goal against Saltash