Sat 27th Aug. Southern League Division One Westbury United 2 Wimborne Town 1
A great all-round team performance led to Westbury clinching their first ever victory at Southern League level! They dug deep, looked dangerous in attack, defended heroically, had some luck, survived an onslaught and netted a late winner in a thrilling match at Meadow Lane.
On a hot afternoon United started very brightly with Conner McKay and Charlie Walton combining well only for a defender to nudge the ball into his goalkeeper’s grateful grasp.
Ryan Bole went very close to putting the hosts ahead; however his header from Ashton Shanley’s corner rebounded off the post. Then, still within the first six minutes, Will Thomson brought a fine save out of Thomas Parker-Trott.
After a quiet spell of play the power of the visitors in defence and attack began to show with Dan Price making a vital block and Aaron Cockerill also working hard alongside Price. Then the impressive Jez Bedford went on a skilful run before shooting narrowly wide.
Westbury opened the scoring in great style on 25 when Bole lashed in a trademark free kick.
Flippance and McKay had half chances to double the advantage. At the other end Daniel Bartlett fired over from long range before Walton miscued a clearance with the ball thankfully going out for a corner.
The second half was breathless with Wimborne putting severe pressure on United from the off.
Miscommunication between Cockerill and Mark Bowden wasn’t taken advantage of by the visiting strikers then a few minutes later Bowden did well to get down and deny Bedford.
A crazy few minutes between 54-56 saw Westbury somehow hold onto their lead; Jack Biddiscombe made a superb goal line clearance then an attempt by Jordan Rose was also blocked on the line, this time by Thomson. Bedford went close again with a fierce strike from which the crossbar is probably still reverberating, the ball dropped down leading to a scramble during which another last-ditch clearance was made.
Having survived so far Westbury went close to making it 2-0 when Biddiscombe showed his shooting skills only for Parker-Trott to save. Then in the next attack Flippance had the keeper backpedalling but the opportunity went begging.
Wimborne equalised on 73 when Bedford went on a great run from his own half and passed to Baker who swept the ball past Bowden from the edge of the box.
Rather than let their heads drop, United went all out for a winning goal. Thomson thought he had restored the lead; however it was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Flippance had a glorious chance to net having burst through into the box but his finish flew just past the post.
Wimborne had to see out the final 15 minutes with just ten men due to having made all their substitutes and a player going off injured. This spurred the hosts even more and Thomson swung in a cross from the right which was headed in by a jubilant Flippance to net the winner on 87!
Star man: Dan Price (Westbury United)
Team: Mark Bowden, Jack Biddiscombe, Ryan Bole, Emmanuel Adepitan, Dan Price, Aaron Cockerill, Ashton Shanley, Will Thomson, Harvey Flippance, Charlie Walton, Conner McKay.
Subs: Ricky Hulbert, Tyler Gane, Sam Jordan (used) Martin Johnson, Lewis Porter (unused).
