United bow out of FA Cup

Sat 3rd Sept. FA Cup First Qualifying Round. Bishops Cleeve 3 Westbury United 1.

WESTBURY United travelled to last season’s Hellenic League champions in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, with high hopes of reaching the next round given their recent form. 

The first 20 minutes saw Westbury start on the front foot, before play became scrappy. Unfortunately, a defensive error led to Bishops Cleeve having an easy opportunity to score, which they took, and carried the 1-0 lead through to half time, without either side troubling the keepers for the rest of the half.

With everyone hoping for a more entertaining second half, both teams came out with more pace and freedom and the game swung from end to end, with saves from either keeper, before in the 70th minute, Bishops Cleeve grabbed a second goal from a corner to lead 2-0.

With their place in the cup at threat, Westbury made a triple change and threw on player/manager Ricky Hulbert, as well as Sam Jordan and Ashton Shanley, in the hope of rescuing something. The changes appeared to work and Westbury pulled a goal back through Sam Jordan on 85 minutes.

However, as Westbury drove forward looking for the equalizer which would have produced a replay, Bishops Cleeve broke and put the match to bed in the last minute with a third goal, sealing a 3-1 victory.

Westbury’s next match is this Saturday at Meadow Lane versus Tavistock in the Southern League.