WESTBURY had a few players still struggling with knocks after Saturday’s match with Wellington, but they still managed a well-deserved draw away against second placed Keynsham Town.
It was the perfect start for Westbury, in less than two minutes they took the lead. A cross from Mark Robinson, who was filling in at right back after the Kirkpatrick’s had to shuffle their pack, was sliced clear by the Keynsham defender Cameron Shorney and fell the Jamie Jorden at a tight angle inside the area, Jordan send the ball back across the goal to Dan Kovacs who was there to expertly finish.
Keynsham were nearly back level only two minutes later, a cross from the left bounced off the Westbury cross bar, Lewis Porter in the Westbury goal looked to have it covered but it was close. Twenty minutes in, the referee played a good advantage for Ferguson, he drove forward down the right and delivered a cross to the edge of the penalty area, Kovacs was there but his control was too good, and the ball fell slightly behind him and he couldn’t take advantage.
After 27 minutes Keynsham were level, Shorney provided a deep cross to Matthew Brown who headed the ball down, Matthew Long twisted and turned through the Westbury defence and finished from the edge of the penalty area.
Westbury had one more chance in the first half, a Jamie Jordan throw to Ferguson was shifted to Steve Hulbert, whose long-range curler was well saved by the Keynsham keeper. The score remained at 1-1 till half time.
Ten minutes after the restart saw Westbury down to 10-men after Ferguson received a second yellow card, Westbury quickly made a change, they took of the goal scorer and brought on Mattie Mantay. To leave Ricky Hulbert to operate up top on his own.
Keynsham were taking advantage of the extra man and were having plenty of possession, but the Westbury defence stood firm and even though he was on his own up-front Ricky Hulbert was a constant menace to the Keynsham defence, working hard winning throws or free kicks high up the pitch.
A powerful long range shot on the 84th minute was dealt with by Westbury Captain Dan Price with a solid diving header to clear the danger. Four minutes later, Keynsham nearly got a lucky goal, a shot deflected off Mantay’s shin up over Porter, but Westbury Price covered well to clear the ball off the line.
Westbury nearly nicked all three points in extra time, Mantay delivered a cross from wide right, Steve Hulbert arrived but couldn’t generate enough power with his chest to beat the keeper from 12 yards.
A well-earned point away at a title rival, Keynsham were strong but even when they were down to ten Westbury showed that they are tough to beat in the league.
Westbury Team: Lewis Porter, Jordan Pinder, Josh Ferguson, Steve Hulbert, Dan Price ©, Dan Jordan, Jamie Jordan, Jake Hiscocks, Ricky Hulbert, Dan Kovacs, Mark Robinson. Subs: Mattie Mantay (used) Sean Brereton, Joe Kirkpatrick, George Bendle, Leon Greenland (unused)
Leon Greenland didn’t make it though the warm-up due to an ankle problem, so was replaced in the starting line-up by Josh Ferguson.
Star Man: Dan Price
