United strengthen promotion push with hard fought win

Sat. 26th Feb. Uhlsport Hellenic Premier. Longlevens AFC 0 Westbury Utd 2

WESTBURY United’s promotion challenge is gathering pace after their third win in a row. They currently lie sixth, just two points off second place, with at least three games in hand over the teams above them. 

With skipper Dan Price away for the weekend and vice-captain Ben Griffiths injured it was up to vice-vice-captain Joe Stradling to lead Westbury in this tricky encounter against a young and technically strong Longlevens. 

After the storms of the previous weekend the Longlevens ground staff also had the added joy of having to repair the pitch ahead of the game due to vandals breaking in and playing football for several hours in the far goalmouth. 

Longlevens started as the stronger team, with midfielder Cam Williams forcing an early save from Mark Bowden low to his right in the Westbury goal. On the 15 minute mark Callum Demkiv raced clear, Kane Winman the Longlevens keeper raced from his area and managed to get enough of a challenge for the ball to deflect wide; when Demkiv caught up the angle was too tight and his finish hit the side netting. 

Stradling had a shot fly over and then on 25 minutes played a fine pass to Demkiv but Demkiv’s shot missed the target. 

Just after the 30 minute mark Demkiv opened the scoring with a close range header from an Ashton Shanley corner, Steve Hulbert looked like he added the final touch but he insisted that the ball was already over the line when he touched it. 

Straight from the kick off Longlevens took a 30 yard shot that was well held by Bowden. Minutes later Demkiv had a slidy shinny shot straight at Winman in the Longleven goal. 

Player-joint-manager Ricky Hulbert showed a nice flick and turn in the Longleven penalty area that Demkiv decided to carry out a little Irish dance around instead of striking the ball. Westbury led 1-0 at halftime.

Longlevens started the second half the stronger team and dominated possession for long periods creating chances for Emery and Sunley which were both well held by Bowden. 

Kovacs had replaced Ricky Hulbert in the middle of the half and forced a good save from Winman within minutes of coming on. Merick had a shot blocked and Martin had good chances for Longlevens but neither of them could convert. 

In the first minute of injury time the ball was in Winman’s hands after he dispossessed Demkiv in the 6 yard box just to the right of the goal,  as he advanced to launch the ball forward Ollie Long pushed Demkiv to the ground; the referee had a good view of the situation and awarded a penalty to Westbury and issued a yellow card to Long; Williams said something that the referee did not like and received his marching orders. Ryan Bole stepped up and smashed the penalty home to give Westbury a 2-0 win in a game that for long periods looked like Longlevens might snatch a point.

Star Man: Callum Dem-kiv. Team: Bowden, Biddiscombe, S.Hulbert, Shanley, James, Hutchings, Stradling ©, Thomson, R.Hulbert, Demkiv, Flippance. Subs: Kovacs, Bole (used), Baldy, Porter (unused)