FA Trophy exit for United

Sat. 29th August. FA Trophy 1st Qual. Rd 

Westbury United 0-1 Thame United

Thame advanced into the next round with a first-half goal scored by their best player Ed Daffern who was a constant attacking threat from the left wing, creating chances for himself and his teammates.

This was a really good game of football played on a pitch slickened by a downpour around kick-off. However for Westbury this competition is proving to be a real bogey, this is their fifth consecutive loss at this stage since being promoted to the Southern League!

Visiting keeper James Callan saved well from Cole Fleming then United thought they had taken the lead when Jake Andrews sent in a curling ball with his left foot. It eluded Callan, however apparently he had been fouled and the goal was disallowed.

Daffern and Harry Alexander had efforts well saved by Westbury’s Joel Manning and in another attack Daffern tried his luck from range but the ball dropped wide.

At the other end Fleming’s pace and trickery led to a corner from which Leighton Thomas glanced a header wide.

Daffern’s goal came on 40 minutes when he cut in from the left again and rifled the ball into the net!

The second-half continued with chances at both ends but the hosts just didn’t do enough to draw level.

Manning saved from Roger James and Jack Tutton soon after the break.

Andrews sent in a skidding set piece that was cleared off the line. Soon after a long spell of possession sped up through Steve Hulbert, Thomas and Jack Witcombe whose great delivery found Bevan Cross whose header bought a great save out of Callan!   

Callan then did even better when Thomas dispossessed his marker and struck a 25-yard curler which the keeper tipped round the post!

Mark Riddick looked like doubling Thame’s lead but his header was cleared off the line by Jamie Jordan. Then Daffern too almost made it 0-2 but saw his effort rebound off the crossbar!

Late on Manning made further saves from Tutton and James then Thomas came closest for Westbury but it wasn’t to be for the home side.

Star Men: Joel Manning (Westbury United) and Ed Daffern (Thame United).

Team: Joel Manning, Steve Hulbert, Aaron Cockerill, Jack Witcombe, Aaron Witchell, Leighton Thomas, Brad Selwood, Josh Bertie, Cole Fleming, Jake Andrews, Bevan Cross. Subs: Keane Ashwood, Ben Starr, Ethan Witchell, Jamie Jordan (used) Tyreese Carter (unused)

With thanks to today’s matchday sponsor White Horse CAD.

FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay

Tuesday 25th August 

Westbury United 0-1 AFC Portchester (after extra time)

Westbury’s hopes of another cup run came to an end when AFC Portchester netted in the last minute of extra time!

The sides had drawn 2-2 three days earlier and went toe to toe in an action-packed encounter at Meadow Lane.

The game went into extra time after being goalless despite chances at both ends and just as a penalty shoot-out was looming, a header was blocked and Archie Willcox pounced on the loose ball to score for the visitors.

Monday 31st August

Larkhall Athletic 3-0 Westbury United

Two goals in the first half and a third after the break saw United go down to their first league defeat of the season.

After going out to AFC Portchester in the FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay and Thame United in the FA Trophy, Westbury returned to league action but suffered their third straight defeat.

The Bath side took the lead on 22 minutes before doubling their lead on 37 minutes. They wrapped up the three points ten minutes after the break.