A chaotic night at Meadow Lane, with abysmal conditions marrying up to two high scoring teams in an encounter that could have been 5-5!
Westbury were looking to get back to winning ways after their League Cup exit 9 days earlier, while Shrewton arrived full of confidence as Wiltshire League leaders. The wind and rain made good football nigh on impossible, but also helped to make it a great encounter to watch!
In truth, Westbury could have been out of sight at half time, but only had a 2-0 lead, courtesy of 2 goals in a minute. Dan Kovacs netted a penalty after Ricky Hulbert had been fouled on 22 minutes, then an immediate attack from Shrewton’s kick-off saw Callum Demkiv thrash in the second!
Either side of those goals, Shrewton veteran Jesse Walters led his side impressively without creating any clear-cut chances, although Ben Jenks saw an effort disallowed for offside. Visiting keeper Ben Rissington made a series of fine and unorthodox saves to deny Jamie Jordan, Kovacs and Joe Stradling twice!
Home keeper Ed Baldy, returning after injury, found the conditions tricky on several occasions and could only fumble a long range attempt wide, shortly before half time.
Westbury got unnecessarily complacent after the break, giving the ball away far too easily and Shrewton took full advantage to net 2 quick goals of their own.
Dominic Jackson’s great finish reduced their arrears on 57 then, from a seemingly innocuous position, Zac McNally’s free kick was fumbled into his own net by Baldy to make it 2-2!
Suddenly shocked into action, the hosts regained their lead straight away when Demkiv let fly with an unstoppable 30 yarder.
Jamie Jordan was probably Westbury’s coolest head and it was he who popped up with a fine finish on the rebound, to make it 4-2 on 69.
Rissington had to leave the pitch injured but his replacement, Jake Watson, denied Westbury any further goals as he made saves from Francois Allen, Josh Ferguson and Jamie Jordan.
Shrewton refused to give up and substitute Tyler Pavey caused mayhem in the hosts’ defence as his cross into the danger area was sliced onto the crossbar by Dan Jordan; then moments later, he saw another shot fly inches over!
*STAR MAN ; Jamie Jordan. TEAM ; Ed Baldy, Joe Kirkpatrick, Ian Jeffery, Will Stead, Jordan Pinder, Dan Jordan, Jamie Jordan, Joe Stradling, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. SUBS ; Francois Allen, Josh Ferguson, Grant Gunning (used) Lewis Porter (unused).
