Sat 2nd Dec. Southern League Division One South.
Westbury United 2-0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins
A MUCH needed and well-deserved victory for Westbury on a freezing, foggy afternoon. These teams last met when Heath won 5-2 in the FA Trophy when the temperature was about 30° hotter in September!
United took the game to Bemerton from the off with George Box’s header from Ryan Bole’s corner being cleared off the line. Then Bevan Cross sent in a fine ball which was dealt with. The hosts fully deserved the opening goal on 15; Ashton Shanley’s corner was only partially punched away by Patrick Creese to Cross who produced a composed finish from the edge of the box.
The defences had to be on top of their games with numerous crosses and set pieces at both ends during long spells of absorbing if not exciting play. When called upon, home keeper Jonny Hill saved impressively to deny Domenico Panesar-Dower and again late in the half from Eder Batista’s powerfully struck free kick.
Creese made several fine saves of his own in the second half, getting down low to prevent George Box soon after the break then later on from Ryan Bole. He then stood tall to stop Joe Stradling in a one-on-one situation.
At the other end, Westbury were on top of their game defensively with Aaron Cockerill outstanding and it was he who got the all-important second goal on 75; Cockerill, Ashton Shanley and Dan Demkiv all had attempts blocked in quick succession then Shanley sent in a corner at which Cockerill got the final touch to make it 2-0.
Creese did brilliantly again to turn away Will Thomson’s effort before Harlequins almost grabbed a lifeline late on but Steve Hulbert cleared the ball off the line.
Star men: Bevan Cross and Aaron Cockerill
Team: Jonny Hill, Steve Hulbert, Ryan Bole, Aaron Cockerill, Ben Griffiths, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Harvey Flippance, George Box, Bevan Cross, Will Thomson.
Subs: Dan Demkiv, Jasper Jones, Matty Morris (used) Emmanuel Adepitan, Ricky Hulbert (unused).
Report by Andy Bown.
