United fall to defeat in seven goal thriller

Saturday 4th November. Southern League Division One South. Westbury United 3 Paulton Rovers 4.

THERE was no shortage of incidents in the latest game for Westbury United in the Southern League with 7 goals and 10 yellow cards in this all-action encounter played on a lovely Autumn afternoon at Meadow Lane’s Platinum Hyundai Park. 

Westbury led three times, Paulton equalised three times then went on to win with new player-manager Kyle Tooze netting a hattrick. There were chances at both ends in the first few minutes with home keeper Jonny Hill saving from Tooze and then Lewis Russell firing wide. 

Russell’s well struck cross on 16 minutes was only partly cleared and Harvey Flippance opened the scoring with a smart turn and left footed finish. The lead lasted less than a minute however as a penalty was given at the other end and Tooze scored from the spot.

United regained the lead on 22 when Charlie Walton’s overhead attempt was blocked for a corner, then Walton latched onto Ashton Shanley’s corner with a fine strike on the swivel. Bevan Cross was impressing on the left and sent in several fine balls which had to be dealt with by the visitors. 

Rovers drew level again on 34 when the home defence failed to deal with a set piece and Nick Hewlett finished from the edge of the box. Joe Stradling burst forward and rifled a long range shot that flew just wide. Then just before half time Fin Haines looped a header that dropped onto the bar. 

In between all the goals there was a series of cautions for fouls and dissent with the same mix of incidents continued after the break. Flippance made it 3-2 on 47, managing to get the final touch with his head when Shanley sent a ball into the penalty area. 

For a while United had the upper hand and a series of attempts and crosses were again dealt with by the Paulton back line. Tooze had the chance to make it 3-3 with another spot kick on 57 when he had been taken out by the advancing Jonny Hill, this time he struck powerfully down the middle. 

Both sides had chances to go ahead, a Stradling header flew across the face of goal then Kye Simpson raced in from the left but couldn’t beat Hill as his shot hit the side netting. United were dealt a blow when Callum Demkiv had to go off injured after they had made all their substitutions. 

Paulton took advantage and led 3-4 when Tooze dispossessed Emmanuel Adepitan and struck the ball into the top corner for his hattrick goal on 77. Westbury had a few shots through Will Thomson and Stradling as well as a Bole header but were unable to snatch a late point. 

Team: Jonny Hill, Ben Griffiths, Aaron Cockerill, Ashton Shanley, Lewis Russell, Joe Stradling, Harvey Flippance, Charlie Walton, Emmanuel Adepitan, Jasper Jones, Bevan Cross. Subs: Callum Demkiv, Will Thomson, Ryan Bole (used) Ricky Hulbert, Ed Baldy (unused). 

Report by Andy Bown.