Sat. 14th December. Toolstation Premier Westbury United 0-1 Cribbs
It just isn’t happening for Westbury at the moment and their current luck was summed up in the first half of this match.
Cribbs deserved their victory with a good all round team performance. At times though they were aided by wayward passing by the home midfield.
Home keeper Ed Baldy was brave early on, diving at Cory Simpson’s feet to claim the ball. Baldy then saved well from Lewis Hedges.
United put together several excellent passing moves but with no end product. A one touch move involving Jamie Jordan, Sam Jordan and Callum Demkiv ended with Joe Stradling being fouled. Ryan Bole’s free kick was blocked, then Stradling hit a powerful rebound that Kieran Hodges fingertipped over the bar. Just a few minutes later Cribbs scored the only goal of the afternoon in spectacular style when Harry Haughton unleashed a 35 yarder that flew into the top corner.
Matt Jones had an impressive match for the hosts and it was his ball forward that set up another Stradling shot which went narrowly wide. Jones then excelled at the back to deny Haughton another shot at goal.
Jamie Jordan was at the heart of a good move, at the end of which he shot wide, then Cribbs broke with Haughton bringing a fine save out of Baldy.
Hodges saved a low Jamie Jordan attempt soon after the break, then Stradling curled another effort past the post.
There was a protracted period of quiet play, Cribbs were happy to defend their lead and Westbury were unable to get any sustained pressure going.
Hodges did well again on 71, Jamie Jordan’s corner found Bole whose header was held by the keeper.
United made a few subs and changed formation, but still couldn’t find a way through. Two subs, Lee Salter and Louis Wilkins were involved, but the latter was denied the chance to latch onto Ricky Hulbert’s cross by good defending.
*Star Man: Matt Jones. Team; Ed Baldy, Jason Henley, Ryan Bole, Dan Jordan, Matt Jones, Jordan Pinder, Joe Stradling, Jamie Jordan, Ricky Hulbert, Sam Jordan, Callum Demkiv . Subs; Lee Salter, Louis Wilkins (used) Joe Kirkpatrick, Luke Smith, Lewis Porter (unused).
