United stumble after strong start to season

Westbury Utd 0-4 Devizes Town – Toolstation Division 1
Tues 30th August

Oldland Abbotonians 4-1 Westbury Utd – Toolstation Division 1
Sat. 3rd September

WESTBURY United’s strong start to the season has hit a bump in recent weeks as the squad lost their last two games, conceding eight goals in the process.

After winning four of their opening six Toolstation First Division games in August, the team will be hoping they can bounce back to form after losing 4-0 and 4-1 in their last two matches.

Last Saturday, 3rd September, the team were beaten 4-1 away at Oldland Abbotonians.

The Bristol side opened the scoring after just ten minutes but Otis Young levelled for Westbury five minutes later, keeping the visitors in the game.

However, Oldland soon regained the lead decisively with two goals in quick succession around the 30 minute mark.

Westbury upped their game going in the second half but in the final ten minutes, the home side added a fourth. Westbury hit the crossbar with a last-gasp attempt but it was too little, too late.

The week before, on Tuesday 30th August, United had a forgettable, evening when they lost 4-0 to Devizes Town.

While the final score was flattering to a well organised Devizes side who were ably led by captain and defender Dan Sloan, the hosts only had themselves to blame for the outcome.

At times Westbury’s attacking play was pleasing on the eye with Sean Brereton, George Bendle, Dean Caslake, Jamie Jordan and Dan Moore all contributing to a series of fine attacks. However, the finishing touch was missing and Adam Walters made several fine saves from Moore in the first half.

Town didn’t threaten until nearing the half hour mark when Robbie Mitchell and Jordon Matthews put together a fine move with Mitchell having an effort blocked.

It was Mitchell who opened the scoring in brilliant style on 40 minutes, picking up the ball near the halfway line he went on a mazy run past several home defenders before producing a composed finish past Charlie Heydon.

A lack of concentration cost United dear straight after the break which allowed Jamie Walters to cut in from the left and fire a low 18 yarder to make it 0-2.

Devizes were all over Westbury for a period of time without being able to add to their tally and this gave the hosts belief that they could get back into the game. Perhaps the most important action came soon after the hour when Brereton saw his long range strike crash off the crossbar, and Jordan saw his fiercely struck rebound superbly parried by Adam Walters!

Walters continued to excel by denying Caslake, Brereton and Pete Sturman but all these were shots from outside the box as United were unable to create any clear cut openings.

Town doubled their tally in the closing stages; on 88 Mitchell played an excellent ball to Jamie Walters whose finish eluded Heydon then in injury time Jamie Wallen got the final touch at a corner kick to complete the scoring.