United held as missed chances prove costly

Tues. 14th Sept. Hellenic League Premier Division. Westbury United 2 – Roman Glass St George 2

A quirk of the Hellenic League fixtures led to these teams meeting for the second time already this season with both teams determined to find a winner this time round. 

Westbury were missing captain Dan Price and striker Callum Demkiv, so Ben Griffiths took the armband and Francois Allen started up front. Scott Gregory and Jack Biddescombe also returned to the team. Griffiths and fellow full back Ryan Bole had excellent matches but were beaten to Star Man by Ashton Shanley’s best performance since joining the club.

As in the last few games United, went straight on the attack but were not able to score as Jack Biddescombe fired wide within the opening minute. Shanley showcased his skills after narrowly missing from a free kick, just before Allen put in a lovely through ball for Joe Stradling who failed to finish. 

Roman Glass came close to opening the scoring when Rhys Sarsen tried the spectacular after Luke Johnson’s cross, but the ball went just wide.  However soon after, Sarsen latched onto a loose ball and finished confidently past Mark Bowden to open the scoring on 17th minute. 

Griffiths sent in a dangerous low cross that eluded Jordan and Allen before the hosts finally drew level in the 34 minute. Bole took matters into his own hands, as he ran from his left back position outpacing several opponents then into the box and struck the ball past Turner with his weaker right foot! 

Neikel Plummer took a direct free kick which was fumbled by Bowden however no attacker had followed it in. After that Westbury could have led at half time however several Shanley more corners were scrambled away, Biddescombe had a shot deflected over then from that corner Scott Gregory was denied by Turner. 

Both teams opened up more in the second half, with Sarsen coming close with a long-range free kick that immediately resulted in a quick counter attack by United but eventually led to nothing. 

United really got into top gear from the 50th minute and the pressure was rewarded when Shanley shot through a crowded penalty area to put his side 2-1 up. 

The joy couldn’t have been shorter lived however because St George immediately equalised in bizarre circumstances. Ibrahima Sarr took a set piece from near the halfway line, aiming for his colleagues inside the box, yet the ball bounced over everyone and nestled in the net! Sarr looked embarrassed. 

At 2-2 both teams went for the win with, surprise surprise, Westbury creating numerous more chances than their visitors. Home midfielder Will Thomson put in plenty of tackles to prevent more openings for St George. 

Another series of crosses and corners were dealt with by the Roman Glass defence then inexplicably Allen blazed over when presented with a glorious opportunity. 

Sarr blocked efforts from Bole and Shanley then the latter almost netted directly from a corner which Turner just managed to punch away. 

Having been sound defensively, United put themselves under pressure before Plummer had a shot blocked. 

It had been nearly a whole match without the woodwork being struck so that lack of luck had to rear its head late on. Bole hit a rasping long range free kick that Turner just about touched onto the crossbar. Then with time nearly up the match finished as it had begun with Biddescombe bursting forward and shooting wide. 

STAR MAN ; Ashton Shanley. TEAM ; Mark Bowden, Ben Griffiths, Ryan Bole, Jake Hutchings, Scott Gregory, Will Thomson, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Sam Jordan, Francois Allen, Jack Biddescombe. SUBS ; Josh Timbrell (used) Steve Hulbert, Joey Cunningham (unused)