Weds. 14th Oct. Toolstation Prem. Div. Westbury Utd 1 Bitton 5
A first home defeat of the season for Westbury to an impressive Bitton side who competed in the delayed FA Vase semi final last month.
The play was not as one- sided as the result suggests, with United putting together fine moves right to the end, but being unable to break down the visiting defence.
It was defences and goalkeepers on top in the early stages, Dan Price and Scott Gregory for the hosts and Scott Brice and Alex Grimshaw for the visitors while Mark Bowden and Dan Worton commanded their respective penalty areas. Worton excelled to save Ben Griffiths’ 35 yard shot.
Unfortunately it was Bowden who erred to enable the opening goal on 31 when he couldn’t hold Matt Groves’ shot and Brandon Barnes pounced on the rebound.
The brilliant Aysa Corrick almost made it 0-2, then at the other end, Joe Stradling and Jake Hutchings combined to set up a header for Steve Hulbert that went wide.
Groves went close at one end soon after half time, then a lovely move involving 5 or 6 players ended with Stradling losing control as he advanced into the box at the other end.
Corrick’s pace set up the second goal on 51, he found space to shoot and with the ball hitting a post, Barnes was there to net another rebound.
Searching for a way back into the match, Josh Ferguson was brought on and immediately got involved in another fine multi-player move that led to Jamie Gregory firing over the bar.
However it seemed to be game over on 57 when Groves unleashed a wonderful 35-yarder that flew into the net for 0-3.
Westbury didn’t give up and got a lifeline 10 minutes later when play switched from right to left and back again as Jack Biddescombe found Stradling who finished powerfully.
Bitton snuffed out a few promising moves, then sealed their victory in style with Corrick netting a quickfire double with two crisp finishes.
Enjoying their football despite the score line, United kept playing well and Price headed over from a Biddescombe corner, then Biddescombe forced Worton into a fingertip save.
*Star man ; Aysa Corrick (Bitton). Team; Mark Bowden, Jamie Gregory, Jake Hutchings, Scott Gregory, Dan Price, Steve Hulbert, Ben Griffiths, Will Thomson, Sam Jordan, Joe Stradling, Jack Biddescombe. Subs; Jordan Pinder, Mark Robinson, Josh Ferguson (used) Jamie Jordan.
