Sat 20th Aug. FA Cup Preliminary Round Westbury United 5 Andover New Street 1
THE first ever meeting between these sides saw Andover make a great start before Westbury overcame the scare to advance into the next round.
Wessex Premier League New Street made a flying start and, after Shane Lock’s early long-range strike had flown inches wide, Ross Cook rounded off a fine passing move to make it 0-1 in the 8th minute.
United grew into the game with Charlie Walton heading wide from Ryan Bole’s corner, then Will Thomson and Harvey Flippance having efforts blocked. Andover went close to doubling their lead midway through the half however Mark Bowden was equal to Callum Sweeney’s shot, the home keeper making a fine save with his legs.
After a quieter period of play Westbury went into overdrive, netting three goals in just six minutes!
The equaliser came on 33 when Flippance beat his marker and scored with his left foot from just outside the box. A few minutes later Ashton Shanley and Ricky Hulbert combined and the ball was played into Thomson, who finished via a deflection.
Then, with confidence flowing, a Bole corner was only partly cleared to Aaron Cockerill, he passed to Shanley whose deep cross was met by Charlie Walton at the back post, 3-1 on 39.
Flippance twice went close to making it 4-1 before the break but he wasn’t to be denied much longer; moments after half time Ricky Hulbert forced Joe Rogers into a fine save, then Walton crossed low to Flippance who applied the final touch.
Shanley was very close to adding a 5th when his beautiful curling shot clipped the crossbar, then at the other end, Andover had a go at getting back into the game as Lock set up Cook who fired over and Bowden did well to claim several crosses.
A flowing move involving Bole, Shanley and Jack Biddiscombe led to Thomson not quite making contact.
The final goal was scored on 80 when a 25-yard Bole free kick cannoned off the post to Ricky Hulbert, who tapped in the rebound. With time running out, Conner McKay set up Ricky Hulbert, however there was to be no addition to the score due to a block on the line.
Star Man: Ashton Shanley (Westbury United)
Team: Mark Bowden, Steve Hulbert, Ryan Bole, Emmanuel Adepitan, Aaron Cockerill, Jake Hutchings, Ashton Shanley, Will Thomson, Ricky Hulbert, Charlie Walton, Harvey Flippance.
Subs: Jack Biddiscombe, Conner McKay, Tyler Gane (used) Ed Baldy (unused).
Report by Andy Bown
Photos by Martin Pearce.
