Hellenic League Premier. Saturday 23rd October Westbury United 4-1 Lydney Town
A CLINICAL victory for Westbury who saw off Lydney despite being down to 10 men from the 39th minute.
In a change of formation, the hosts played with a 3-man defence (Dan Price, Ben Griffiths and Jake Hutchings) who all did well.
On another perfect Saturday afternoon for football, this match got off to a slow start, with the only action of note in the opening 20 minutes being several attempts scuffed wide at both ends. Home keeper Ed Baldy had to be alert on several occasions when Town played balls over the top, on one such situation Baldy actually headed clear, only for the ball to be played to Jordan Heln whose cross clipped the bar.
Soon after, Francois Allen got in and it took brave work by visiting keeper Richard Thomas to deny him. Allen then got in again and set up Dan Demkiv whose shot was blocked.
Baldy saved really well from Matthew Board, paving the way for his side to open the scoring in lovely style on 37; Hutchings struck a perfect free kick from 25 yards. However, United’s afternoon took a turn for the worse on 39 when Ashton Shanley was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Ross Lindsay. Lydney did everything but equalise before half time, culminating in a brilliant double save by Baldy.
Westbury came out firing after the break and, led by Dan Demkiv, scored twice within 3 minutes. Firstly he fired through a crowded penalty area to make it 2-0, then set up Ricky Hulbert who finish calmly for 3-0. Baldy made another fine save from Board, then when he was beaten by a fine attempt the woodwork was struck. A quick move involving Will Thomson and Hulbert set Callum Demkiv racing into the box before shooting wide. United were defending well and looking dangerous on the break, without being able to add to their tally.
A Board corner led to a header going wide, then on 70, Town found a lifeline through Jamie Addis who headed in at the back post. Hulbert made sure that his team wouldn’t be pegged back further by quickly restoring a 3-goal advantage after a fine run by Josh Timbrell. Into the last 10 minutes Hulbert had a chance to try for a hattrick, however instead set up Joe Stradling whose attempt was deflected away. Lydney twice went close to scoring late on; Lewis Thompson hit the crossbar and Jake Morgan’s 25 yarder went just over.
Star Man ; Ed Baldy Team; Ed Baldy, Ben Griffiths, Jake Hutchings, Dan Price, Ashton Shanley, Will Thomson, Joe Stradling, Ricky Hulbert, Callum Demkiv, Dan Demkiv, Francois Allen. Subs; Josh Timbrell, Joey Cunningham (used) Mark Bowden.
