Late goals sink United in heated Boxing Day derby

Thursday 26th December – Melksham Town 2-0 Westbury United 

The fiercest local derby since Westbury joined Melksham in the Southern League saw the hosts score two late goals in front of a fantastic crowd of 1,019!

A few of United’s players seemed to lose the plot (in addition to red cards for Charlie Walton and Redman Evans, they also could have had Will Taylor sent off early in the game) which was a real shame because if it had stayed 11 v 11 they almost certainly wouldn’t have lost.

The visitors started quickly with the pace of Joe Beardwell, Josh Jenkins and Bevan Cross a threat to the hosts. Jake Hutchings had a free kick held by Alfie Kelsey and Brad Selwood headed wide.

Taylor flew into a challenge on Nathan Davis and the referee was lenient by showing only a yellow card. Dan Restorick and Aaron Cockerill did well to clear a series of Jake Andrews’ set pieces. Andrews was playing against his home town club for the first time in a career that has seen him play professionally.

Ryan Bole headed onto the roof of the net and Selwood made several bustling runs as Westbury looked to boss proceedings.

Several more late challenges by players from both sides were cautioned by the referee.

The most open period of the match saw Evans save well from Sam Hendy then Kelsey make an impressive stop to deny the lively Aaron Witchell at the other end.

Hendy latched onto Andrews’ launched ball and saw his volley crash off the crossbar. Soon after Mark Cooper’s attempt was well blocked.

Jenkins was always likely to create something and just before the break he outpaced Andrews who resorted to a cynical foul to deny a run towards goal, Andrews too was yellow carded.

After the break Andrews continued to send in fine set piece deliveries which saw Cooper head wide and Evans save from Jake Brown.

Melksham were well on top into the final quarter of the match and only a few minutes after coming on as a substitute United’s Charlie Walton was shown a straight red card. The challenge was probably no worse than those they had gone before, however in hindsight bringing Walton on in such a fierce encounter may not have been wise.

The next action was positive for Westbury though as Bole sent in a great cross that flew across the face of goal with no touch from attacker or defender.

The first goal came in fortuitous circumstances on 79; Gabriel Summerfield’s looping ball into the box drifted over Evans and into the goal. Evans protested that he had been impeded and received a yellow card.

Evans rather spoiled his copy book on 86 when he raced out and clattered into the home striker. A second caution saw him sent off, Westbury down to nine men, Cockerill take over the gloves and a penalty given!

Andrews dispatched the spot kick to seal the points for Town.

Star Man: Dan Restorick. Team: Redman Evans, Ryan Bole, Aaron Cockerill, Dan Restorick, Brad Selwood, Aaron Witchell, Joe Beardwell, Bevan Cross, Will Taylor, Jake Hutchings, Josh Jenkins. Subs: Charlie Walton (used) Steve Hulbert, Ashton Shanley, Leon Greenland, Ed Butcher (unused).