WESTBURY United are feeling ambitious as they head into the new season with the big kick off on Saturday against Buckland Athletic, away, and a first home fixture next Wednesday against Odd Down.
United finished fifth last season in their first season in the Toolstation Premier Division which gives the club optimism that it can compete at this level.
Ahead of the first game of the 2019/20 season, co-manager Neil Kirkpatrick spoke to White Horse News about new signings, the club’s ambition and this season’s favourites to take the title.
He said, “Pre-season has gone very well. We have been faced with our usual challenges of players on holiday, which means we are struggling to achieve a settled squad which isn’t ideal, but we have to get on with it as do most of the clubs. But overall, it’s pretty good.
“Some players have picked up a few niggling injuries but the squad is taking shape. We lost two players to local team Melksham Town, Callum Demkiv and Ian Jeffrey, but have brought in Ryan Bole, Sam Jordan and Matt Jones, We are really happy and hope that we can get everyone fit and available.
“The friendlies are going well, despite our 1-0 loss to Warminster Town on Friday 26th July. The first half we were outstanding, but we made changes in the second half which made things difficult. We were six or seven players away that day, but overall it was fine.
“We are missing Dan Kovacs up front through injury and Sam Jordan who has been on holiday, so we don’t have the cutting edge up front to challenge teams. But we know that as soon as they both return, they will undoubtedly score goals.
“Ryan Bole has been outstanding this pre-season at left back. It feels as though he has been playing with us forever, he has really settled in. Matt Jones has come back to us following his stint with us when we won the First Division and hasn’t put a foot wrong so far.
“This season will be a lot tougher than the previous, so it’s hard to say what the ambition of the club will be. Taverstock and Exmouth have joined the league, both are very competitive sides. Runners-up from last season, Plymouth Parkway, are the favourites to take the league title this year. Bridgwater have also really strengthened as a squad.
“It’s hard because teams have been spending crazy money on players, so the teams will be hard to judge until we play them.
“Ultimately, the ambition is the same as last season – win every game. We are hoping to cause upset to the big sides. We can beat any team, but ultimately any team can beat us too. It will be a really difficult and competitive league at the top, but we hope to be a part of it.”
For the full fixture list, see the centre pages.
