Toolstation League Premier Division Saturday 8th December Westbury United 3-1 Brislington

Most of the action on a wet and very blustery afternoon at Meadow Lane was condensed into 10 first half minutes! 

Westbury, who extended their unbeaten league run to 37 matches which stretches beyond a calendar year, looked to be in for a tough afternoon as Brislington gave as good as they got in a tight opening half hour.

It took quarter of an hour for any meaningful action and it was star man Josh Ferguson who signalled his intentions by shooting just wide from 20 yards.

Oaklan Buck was Brislington’s best player and he almost took advantage of Ed Baldy’s poor kick, but saw his shot go narrowly past Baldy’s right hand post.

The game opened up around the half hour and Dan Kovacs had a few efforts blocked. A minute later, Kovacs’ attacking partners Ricky Hulbert and Callum Demkiv combined, with the latter rounding Chris Humphries but seeing his shot from an acute angle cleared off the line.

Buck continued to cause problems for Westbury and had 2 fine attempts in quick succession, an 18 yarder that Baldy saved easily, then a low strike that flew wide.

Demkiv took the game by the scruff of the neck to give United a rapid 2-0 lead. He opened the scoring on 32 minutes when he ran onto Joe Kirkpatrick’s ball and finished calmly. Just 2 minutes later, great play by Ricky Hulbert and Dan Kovacs set up Demkiv and he cleverly lofted the ball over Humphries to double the lead.

With the home defence somewhat lazy, Brislington pulled a goal straight back, with Sol Shearer striking into the top corner.

Inspired by their lifeline, the visitors should have drawn level, but Kye Thomas’ cross was headed wide by Mason Dagger, then Baldy saved again when Buck got another shot on target.

Having kept their advantage, United went up the other end and made it 3-1 before the break through Ferguson’s brilliant strike.

The 2nd half, as with the first 30 minutes, was largely a non-event, with Westbury unable to add a 4th goal, while comfortably keeping their visitors at bay.

Baldy denied Buck again; then at the other end, Joe Stradling was unable to direct either of 2 attempts on target, but there was a long time between these chances.

Humphries had to be smart to save a Kovacs header, then almost gifted United a 4th, but his fumble at Joe Kirkpatrick’s long range shot drifted wide.

With time running out, Ferguson completed his performance with several excellent interceptions to break up Brislington possession.

*Star Man; Josh Ferguson. Team; Ed Baldy, Jamie Jordan, Ian Jeffery, Joe Kirkpatrick, Jordan Pinder,  Dan Jordan, Joe Stradling, Josh Ferguson, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Callum Demkiv. Subs; Waleed Bakali, George Bendle (used) Grant Gunning, Lewis Porter (unused).