United make light work of Cinderford Town

Saturday 11th February. Southern League Division One South. Westbury United 4 Cinderford Town 1

WESTBURY Utd, who were forced into a late team change due to Aaron Cockerill’s injury in the warm up, recorded their best league win of the season, to see off a determined Cinderford side for whom the result was somewhat harsh.

United made a rapid start and Gary Higdon opened the scoring with a lovely lobbed finish inside the opening minute. Several more chances came and went as Dan Price headed Ryan Bole’s corner over the bar, then both Charlie Walton and Matt Morris had efforts blocked.

The visitors grew into the match, forcing a series of set pieces which were well defended, while Denis Digie had a shot blocked. Ashton Shanley broke a scrappy spell of play with a well-struck 25 yarder which was touched wide by McKenzie Welsh, the resulting corner led to a counter attack from which Town went close to equalising.

Joe Stradling burst into the box and saw his low strike kicked over his own bar by William Emery, Bole swung in the flag kick and after the ball cannoned off a post, Stradling netted with an overhead to double Westbury’s lead. United went all out to increase their advantage; Harvey Flippance had a shot blocked back to Higdon, whose follow up hit the woodwork and rebounded into the net off a defender; however this was disallowed due to Higdon being offside. Bole was doing well with his set piece delivery and after one had been partially cleared, Morris’ header was well-saved by Welsh.

Town almost reduced their deficit, with several attempts being charged down by the home back line, then Jonny Hill made a great save! Flippance burst through and rifled in a powerful third goal just before half-time, with Cinderford adamant he was offside.

At 3-0, United kept their opponents at bay early in the second half with a few well-timed challenges by Steve Hulbert and Morris. Having kept their three-goal advantage, the hosts then made sure of the points on 61; another excellent delivery by Bole was met by Higdon, who headed into the top corner. Walton tried to repeat Stradling’s trick from earlier, however his overhead went wide.

Then moments later, Higdon came within millimetres of a hattrick when his spectacular strike crashed off the bar! Town had a go at reducing their arrears in the closing stages; a header looped up and came down on the bar, then Felix Miles headed wide.

United nearly added a fourth when Ricky Hulbert fired over, then sent in a low ball that Higdon wasn’t quite able to reach. Hill made a fine reaction save, but he wasn’t able to prevent Miles from netting Cinderford’s consolation goal with the last kick of the game.

Star man: Gary Higdon (Westbury United) Team: Jonny Hill, Steve Hulbert, Ryan Bole, Dan Price, Jake Hutchings, Ashton Shanley, Joe Stradling, Harvey Flippance, Charlie Walton, Matty Morris Subs: Jack Biddiscombe, Emmanuel Adepitan, Ricky Hulbert (used) Sam Jordan (unused)

Pictured: Gary Higdon bagged a brace.