Saturday. 26th September. Toolstation League Premier Division Westbury Utd 2 Cribbs 1
A Star Man performance was produced by Jack Biddescombe at a sunny Meadow Lane, to lead Westbury to their third win of the league season.
Biddescombe scored two similarly excellent goals as well as being a constant threat with his pace and corner kicks.
United flew out of the blocks and could have led earlier than their opening goal on 16 minutes. Joe Stradling, Biddescombe and Sam Jordan all went close before Biddescombe, who had just switched wings with Joe Stradling, cut in from the left onto his right foot and curled a beautiful 20 yard finish past Fraser McDiarmid.
Several fine flag kicks by Biddescombe led to McDiarmid saving excellently, then Jamie Gregory headed over.
Cribbs, whose vociferous management had been strangely infuriated by the officials and their own team’s lack of cohesion, finally created a chance which led to home keeper Mark Bowden saving well from Steve Murray.
Stradling and Sam Jordan both went close again in the closing stages of the half, which was almost at an end when Biddescombe repeated his trick from earlier. Mark Robinson and Sam Jordan combined to set up Biddescombe, who quickly shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired an equally lovely finish, the only difference being his position was more central, but nonetheless his brilliance provided a much deserved 2-0 lead at the break.
Cribbs were a different team after half time, they came out playing much better and had already gone close before Murray got in behind and finished excellently to make it 2-1 on 57.
They nearly drew level a few minutes later when Bowden saved well from Daniel Webb. United counter attacked immediately and Biddescombe almost got a hattrick, his latest curling attempt was blocked and the ball cleared.
Both defences were working hard to deny chances to their opponents, Dan Price and Dan Jordan looked solid at the back for Westbury.
Biddescombe, Will Thomson and Jamie Jordan all had efforts blocked in a sustained spell of pressure and Cribbs almost got an equaliser in injury time, but somehow a finish went over the bar from inside the 6 yard box.
There was still time for Stradling to find himself bearing down on McDiarmid, but his shot missed the target.
*Star man ; Jack Biddescombe. Team ; Mark Bowden, Jake Hutchings, Dan Jordan, Jamie Gregory, Dan Price, Steve Hulbert, Joe Stradling, Ben Griffiths, Sam Jordan, Mark Robinson, Jack Biddescombe. Subs ; Will Thomson, Jamie Jordan, Ricky Hulbert (used) Scott Gregory (unused)
Pictured: Man of the Match and scorer of both Westbury goals, Jack Biddiscombe, in action on Saturday.
