Southern League Division One South – Wednesday 1st January – Westbury United 3-0 Larkhall Athletic
Another superb home win for Westbury as they equalled last season’s points tally with 20 matches still to play.
The last three home matches have seen them score 11 goals without reply and on this occasion midfielder Brad Selwood netted a superb hat-trick!
In very wet conditions both sides knocked the ball around well during a first half with very little goalmouth action. Several well delivered balls skidded across the box at both ends and when an opportunity arose United’s Jack Witcombe wasn’t able to find the target.
Redman Evans made a good save towards half-time when uncertainty between Leon Greenland and Dan Restorick allowed the ball to get to Eben Mortimer-Taylor.
Aside from that, the home side were very strong and confident in defence, allowing very little space for the Larks’ attackers.
Athletic briefly threatened early in the second half when Evrard Yao twisted and turned then shot wide.
Meanwhile Westbury were increasingly threatening going forward and Selwood, already bossing the midfield, had already curled a low left footer wide when he hit a similar effort on 59 minutes that snuck inside the post to open the scoring.
After a quiet spell Selwood added his and United’s second on 74; Jake Hutchings released Joe Beardwell who powered into the box and teed up Selwood for a great strike into the top corner.
Selwood then netted his hat-trick goal on 81 when, after fine approach play by Greenland and Beardwell, Selwood finished outrageously from a very acute angle.
Ryan Bole twice went close to adding a fourth however he was denied by Adam Forster on both occasions.
Star man: Brad Selwood
Team: Redman Evans, Ryan Bole, Jake Hutchings, Dan Restorick, Brad Selwood, Aaron Witchell, Joe Beardwell, Bevan Cross, Leon Greenland, Will Taylor, Jack Witcombe. Subs: Steve Hulbert, Joel Smedley (used) Mark Bowden (unused)
