Westbury’s performance was vastly improved from their previous 0-1 defeat versus Keynsham.
However the outcome was the same as a combination of the crossbar, Welton keeper Andrew King and wasteful finishing ensured they again ended without scoring a goal! The encounter was feisty at times with both teams having a man sent off along with the referee issuing a further seven yellow cards!
United manager Matty Bown was forced to play four of the Under 18s (Nathan Hallett-Young and Dan Precup in defence, Charlie Walton in midfield and Joe Moloney as a 2nd half substitute in attack) and all did themselves proud with strong performances that bode well for the future.
Rovers started better and Alex Shaftoe had to save well from Chris Peck before the only goal of the game was scored on 13 minutes; Anthony Conradi’s pace created a crossing opportunity from the left wing with the ball finding its’ way to Paul Banks who had time and space to pick his spot.
United gradually built a foothold in the game and Mark Young curled a free kick over the bar with Wayne Wheeler then Young doing likewise from open play. Shaftoe advanced to claim the ball on the half hour but handled it outside his area and received a yellow card; Andrew Keen’s free kick flew just wide. Young had a few great chances to equalise but was extremely unlucky to see a fierce left footed shot rebound off the crossbar and bounce to safety, then a further effort saved by King when the winger had got into a one on one situation.
An unsavoury incident occurred five minutes before the break when an awful challenge on Joe Murray by Welton midfielder Tom Smith led to a scuffle that saw four players (including Smith as well as Westbury’s Wheeler and Young) booked!
The visitors had the first chance after half time when Murray and Nathan Hallett combined to set up Adam James whose fine strike was deflected wide, but it was the hosts who then had a period of dominance that forced Shaftoe into fine saves to deny Banks twice and Dan Cottle from doubling Welton’s lead. Peck then struck a beautiful volley from outside the box that went narrowly wide of the target.
Shaftoe made an error on 72 that saw him sent off when he again advanced out of his area but this time he clattered into Conradi with the referee having no option but to show him a 2nd yellow card! As a result United then lost some of their attacking force with Young taking over in goal – he was to have no save to make in the remaining play as not only did his side do well with less players but Rovers were also reduced to 10 men when Smith was late on Murray for the 2nd time and he also saw another yellow card!
Hallett, who had looked likely to create chances all afternoon, came to the fore late on with several rasping shots that brought the best out of King, but Westbury just couldn’t find an equaliser as time ran out!
*STAR MEN – Andrew King (Welton Rovers) & Nathan Hallett (Westbury United). TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Ally Bradley, Dan Precup, Nathan Hallett-Young, Matt Friendship, Joe Murray, Mark Young, Charlie Walton, Wayne Wheeler, Adam James, Nathan Hallett. SUBS – Joe Moloney (used) Dale Rowlands, Conor McKay.
