Despite conceding twice in the opening 10 minutes, United had only themselves to blame for not forcing extra time as they wasted a number of chances at a wet and windy Meadow Lane.
Considering the conditions this was a highly entertaining match and credit must go to both teams. UWE got off to a quick start as Sam Rees ran onto Jordan Davies’ long ball and lobbed Callum Hotine to open the scoring on eight minutes, then Joe Black’s set piece was headed in by Nicholas Gray to make it 0-2.
Westbury got themselves straight back into the tie on 11 when Dan Moore received the ball on the halfway line, and after advancing several yards he found the back of the net from long range!
United should have equalised before half time; Moore himself had an attempt cleared off the line, Marc Scammell clipped the crossbar and Josh Ferguson was denied by visiting keeper Ryan Scott as well as shooting wide!
The 2nd half got off to a scrappy start with possession wasted by both sides, however the hosts got going and a sustained spell of pressure and flowing moves saw Ferguson twice, Levi Wood and United’s player of the month James Hounsell have attempts to draw their team level.
However the equaliser never came and it was Almondsbury who made their progress safe when Ryan Gourley finished powerfully from close range on 71.
The game rather petered out from then on although Scott did well to parry Jordan Cain’s late shot as Westbury pressed right until the end.
*STAR MAN – James Hounsell. TEAM – Callum Hotine, Tony McElhone, Grant Gunning, Nathan Hallett-Young, Marc Scammell, James Hounsell, Mark Young, Josh Ferguson, Dan Moore, Matty Mantay, Levi Wood. SUBS – Dave Macey, Jordan Cain, Adam Kenich (used) Jordon Matthews, Karl Freeman (unused).
