Toolstation Premier. Saturday 22nd February Westbury United 3-2 Brislington
A crazy match at Meadow Lane where Westbury dominated for 70 minutes (during which they had 17 attempts blocked, saved by the impressive George Dorrington or hit off target), Brislington then opened up a 0-2 lead before United scored twice in a minute to draw level and went on to snatch a winner!
The first half was one-way traffic with the hosts creating chances at will through quick attacking play, while at the other end, Ed Baldy only had a simple early save from Mike Rimmer to make. Callum Demkiv, Ricky Hulbert, Will Thomson and Ryan Bole all had shots blocked around the 10-minute mark.
A great move between Jordan Pinder, Sam Jordan and Ricky Hulbert led to Pinder having an attempt blocked. The visiting defence were working overtime already and they got even busier on 19. Thomson went on a skilful run into the box where he had a shot blocked and rebound saved by Dorrington, the ball broke to Sam Jordan whose effort was blocked then somehow Thomson was denied yet again.
Soon after, Ben Griffiths accurately delivered a set-piece which was put into the net by Sam Jordan, but it was disallowed for offside.
Dorrington came to the fore again when Ricky Hulbert raced onto Dan Price’s forward header and brought the best out of the Brislington keeper. Further chances came and went as the break approached. Demkiv and Sam Jordan combined to set up Griffiths whose strike was blocked then a Thomson corner found Ricky Hulbert, but his close range effort went the way of so many previous ones.
With half time imminent, Brislington finally got an attack going and it took fine work by Steve Hulbert to deny George Box.
The second half carried on in similar vein as it somehow remained goalless. Dorrington did excellently to deny Griffiths and Demkiv in the opening 5 minutes.
There was a moment of panic at the other end when Lewis Dunn played the ball forward and Price’s attempted clearance rippled the roof of his own net.
Lee Salter began to create openings from the right side of the Westbury line up with Sam Jordan and Ricky Hulbert unable to provide a finishing touch. Pinder also went close after fine play by Demkiv and Sam Jordan.
Brislington sensed an opportunity and, after Baldy had saved from Lewis Ellington, they shocked the crowd by scoring on 69 and 75 to lead 0-2. Reeko Best and Jayden Nelson both got on the end crosses from opposite wings to finish from close range.
Stunned into action again, United then drew level with two quick goals of their own on 78 and 79. Callum Demkiv latched onto Salter’s cross to make it 1-2, then Demkiv turned provider with Jason Llama turning the ball into his own net. There seemed certain to be more drama, but which side would grab a winning goal?
The visitors almost did so twice as Baldy denied Llama at a corner, then did likewise when Rimmer hit a fine free kick but then, remarkably, after Dorrington had saved from Demkiv, Ryan Bole’s corner was headed in by Sam Jordan for the clinching goal!
In the closing stages Brislington substitute Tristan Plummer was sent off , just a few minutes after coming on!
Star Man; Callum Demkiv. Team: Ed Baldy, Lee Salter, Ryan Bole, Jordan Pinder, Dan Price, Steve Hulbert, Will Thomson, Ben Griffiths, Ricky Hulbert, Sam Jordan, Callum Demkiv. Subs: Joe Stradling, Landon Golding (used) Dan Jordan, Joe Kirkpatrick, Jason Henley (unused)
