Late equaliser denies White Horse Men

Southern League Division One South 

Saturday 5th April – Westbury United 2-2 Tavistock AFC

Tuesday 1st April – Falmouth Town 0 – 0 Westbury Utd

Saturday 29th March  – Cribbs 0 – 0 Westbury Utd

Three draws in a week for Westbury after Tavistock equalised in the 83rd minute.

The points being shared was no more than both teams deserved after a hard-fought battle on a sunny, breezy afternoon. Skipper Ryan Bole played in four different positions during the match while calmly leading his men. 

Half-time saw the score at 1-1 after a penalty apiece; on 13 minutes United’s Jack Witcombe was fouled by Brooklyn Wilkins and Josh Jenkins confidently buried the spot kick. Then on 28 The Lambs’ Yestynne Harris was fouled by Leon Greenland after which Tyler Elliott buried his penalty. 

Other action in the opening period saw Jamie Jordan’s knock forward met by Witcombe but his effort was comfortably saved by Aaron Deaning, Ben Starr twisted and turned before firing over then at the other end Edward Harrison shot off target from a free kick. 

Westbury were on top after the break and after Starr’s free kick glanced a post, Bevan Cross came to the fore ; after one run and shot saw him go close he skilfully ghosted past several defenders and into the box before producing a lovely finish to make it 2-1 on 53. 

Tavistock’s Jack Crago headed one opportunity wide, then as the visitors upped their pressure, Dan Restorick and Aaron Cockerill made several vital interceptions. Then Crago’s next attempt forced Rob Brown to parry the ball; however Liam Prynn was on hand to smash it in. 

Both sides went close to snatching a winner; Cross had an attempt blocked then Brown tipped Elliott’s delivery onto the bar. 

*Star Man: Ryan Bole  

Team: Rob Brown, Ryan Bole, Dickie Raut, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Restorick, Jack Witcombe, Charlie Wooding, Bevan Cross, Ben Starr, Jamie Jordan, Josh Jenkins. Subs: Leon Greenland, Tom Mack, Kegan Smart (used) Ricky Hulbert, Lewis Porter (unused)  

Prior to the Tavistock game, it was back-to-back goalless draws for United from difficult trips to Cribbs and Falmouth.

First up on Saturday 29th March, United faced a Cribbs team in a relegation scrap and, in a game of few chances, came away with a hard-fought point.

Next up, The White Horse Men faced the long trip to Cornwall on April Fool’s Day and again, returned home with a point after there was nothing to separate the sides.

United have just four games left now as they look to clinch a place in the top ten of the Southern League.

They face high-flying Evesham Utd at Meadow Lane on Saturday 12th April, who currently lie second in the table, before a difficult trip to another promotion hopeful, fifth-place Malvern the following Saturday. 

Then it’s a big local derby at home against Melksham on Easter Monday with both sides looking to finish as the top Wiltshire side in the league before finishing with an away tie at Bideford.

Report: Andy Bown; Photos: Martin Pearce