Sat 19th Feb. Hellenic League Premier Division Westbury United 2-1 Tuffley Rovers
WESTBURY dug deep to see off a determined Tuffley side on a very windy afternoon with joint manager Ricky Hulbert scoring the winning goal.
Both sides struggled with the gusty conditions and it was Rovers who had the better of the first half. They opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 7th minute when Joe Shutt took advantage of a poor pass before hitting a swerving 30 yarder that flew into the net.
It could have been 0-2 soon after; however Joshua Aldridge’s fine pass to Dominik Kent went unrewarded as the striker shot over the bar.
United equalised on 18; Ashton Shanley’s set piece swirled in the wind and was headed by Dan Price with the ball falling to Joe Stradling whose finish was clinical. Tuffley created another chance through Warren Mann whose ball found Ashley Bird however Mark Bowden was equal to Bird’s header.
Shanley, full of confidence after his midweek free kick double strike, tried his luck again but the attempt was deflected away from danger.
The wind worsened after the half hour and it was the visitors who came close to regaining the advantage; however Bowden saved from Aaron Basford then Shutt played a lovely ball to Jack Beardsell whose low drive went wide.
Westbury attacked straight from the kick off after the break with Stradling firing narrowly wide. There was a long spell of scrappy play with defences on top and numerous misplaced passes.
On the hour, home midfielder Will Thomson showed good control, beat several opponents and brought a fine save out of Jack Copland. Tuffley counter attacked and Shutt went close with another powerful shot.
United made a few attacking substitutions then put together some neat passing moves which went unrewarded.
Shanley sustained an injury but before being replaced by Ricky Hulbert he sent in a corner that led to Thomson going to ground inside the box; however the referee waved away appeals for a penalty.
Steve Hulbert set up Jack Biddescombe and he hit a rasping strike just off target.
The winning goal came on 80 when a determined run and cross by Callum Demkiv picked out Ricky Hulbert and he finished confidently.
Biddescombe had a few more shots in quick succession, one being blocked and from the rebound he showed great technique to half volley a few yards wide.
Rovers put full effort into trying to snatch a point and it took some strong defending, in particular by Price, to keep them at bay. At the other end Harvey Flippance forced Copland into two late saves.
Star man; Dan Price. Team; Mark Bowden, Jamie Jordan, Jake Hutchings, Steve Hulbert, Dan Price, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Will Thomson, Harvey Flippance, Dan Kovacs, Sam Jordan Subs; Jack Biddescombe, Callum Demkiv, Ricky Hulbert (used) Kurt James, Ed Baldy (unused)
