Heartbreak for United in Shield final

Westbury’s hunt for silverware ended in disappointment as they went down 1-0 to Laverstock & Ford.

Both of these teams have had history-making seasons and ultimately it was Wessex Premier Laverstock who, in addition to getting fortunate when their goal frame was struck on several occasions, defended like trojans to lift the shield.

This was a fiercely contested match with the respective defences busy from kick off against pacy attacks.

Ben Starr, Cole Fleming and Bevan Cross all created early openings for Westbury with Laverstock keeper Zach Roberts, who was outstanding, setting his performance for the evening with several fine claims on the ground and in the air.

At the other end the rapid Carson Arnold caused similar problems for the United back line.

Westbury came within millimetres of taking the lead on 17 minutes when CJ Stewart played in Brad Selwood and his low left foot shot struck the post and rolled across the face of goal before being cleared! Laverstock netted the only goal just a few minutes later; Adam Bourner lost his marker at a corner and flicked the ball up and into the net!

Fleming’s trickery led to him playing in a low ball that was just cleared before Selwood could get a touch then Roberts saved Keane Ashwood’s follow up attempt.

Dan Restorick got his head to a Stewart throw in only to see the ball cleared off the line following which sustained pressure from Stewart and Starr led to Jack Witcombe firing wide.

Roberts excelled at tipping away a few well delivered Ashwood set pieces and his team kept their advantage into the break with further strong defensive play.

With a glorious sunset bathing Melksham’s stadium in light, Laverstock had a shot wide soon after the break then for the best part of 40 minutes it was nonstop Westbury attacking which somehow didn’t result in an equaliser!

In a crazy minute of play Starr had a shot saved by Roberts who then denied Witcombe, another attempt was cleared off the line and from the resulting corner Restorick had a header held by Roberts!

United made a series of substitutions but there was no let-up in their dominance except for a quick break by Arnold which saw Witcombe and Joel Manning get the ball away from danger.

Stewart delivered a fine ball which was headed over by Bole then soon after Witcombe attacked from the left and saw his shot blocked.

A further spell of set pieces was defended by the Laverstock players before a moment that summed up the match in a split second when Cross showed good pace before playing in a ball that Witcombe powered onto the crossbar!

With United throwing everyone forward they were susceptible to a few breaks from which Tommy Campbell-Smith and Cam Roach shot narrowly wide.

Deep into added time Westbury pushed and pushed for a late leveller but it just wasn’t to be! Cross’ delivery led to Witcombe having another effort headed off the line and as further balls went into the box Roberts got his fist to two of them and another attempt was cleared off the line!

*Star Men; Bevan Cross (Westbury United) & Zach Roberts (Laverstock & Ford)

Team: Joel Manning, Tyreese Carter, Dan Restorick, Jack Witcombe, Keane Ashwood, CJ Stewart, Brad Selwood, Ben Starr, Ethan Witchell, Cole Fleming, Bevan Cross. Subs Ryan Bole, Jamie Jordan, Will Taylor, Aaron Witchell, Steve Hulbert (used) Ali Sen, Kieran Perrin (unused).

Report: Andy Bown

Picture: MP Sports Photography