Westbury halt losing run with Bideford draw

Saturday 5th September 

Southern League Division One South

Westbury United 2-2 Bideford AFC

An entertaining match at sunny Meadow Lane where a share of the points was a fair result.

For Westbury this was an important result after a run of defeats without scoring, while for Bideford this was their third draw in four league matches.

United were on top early in the game with a series of fine balls by Bevan Cross and Jamie Jordan flying across the face of goal with no finishing touch.

At the other end the visitors’ Luke Forward also fizzed the ball across then Ryan Turner with a header and Javan Wright with a shot forced Joel Manning into good saves.

Brad Selwood had a fine match for the home side and he set up Ethan Witchell whose attempt was blocked.

Westbury went ahead on 35 when a great move down the left between Jack Witcombe and Ethan Witchell ended with Selwood finishing excellently from a narrow angle.

The lead was short-lived though because Bideford equalised immediately when Wright’s cross-shot eluded Manning and went in off the post.

Shortly before half-time Josh Bertie laid the ball off to Cross who took a touch then skewed his shot wide.

Manning was in action again after the break, firstly saving from Jack Magarotto and a minute later denying Jordan Ewing; however the ball fell to Turner who made it 1-2. Turner almost put his side further ahead around the hour mark however Ethan Witchell cleared off the line!

Jake Andrews had the opportunity to show his set piece ability when his free kick forced Luke Gwilliam into a save, Bideford attacked and Wright found the side netting.

A strange passage of play saw most players stop when the assistant flagged for offside on Witcombe; the referee however waved play on and Witcombe resumed his run and set up Cole Fleming whose shot flew over.

Westbury equalised on 77 when Aaron Witchell’s cross from the right was powered in by the onrushing Leighton Thomas.

In the final 10 minutes both teams could have got a winner but Thomas missed the target after a well taken set piece by Keane Ashwood then Bideford’s Farren Simons whistled a 30 yarder inches over the bar!

Still both sides attacked in added time, Bideford wasted a free kick at the edge of the box then Selwood led a counter-attack at the end of which Simons raced back to block the ball!

Star Man: Brad Selwood (Westbury United)

Team: Joel Manning, Steve Hulbert, Jack Witcombe, Aaron Witchell, Leighton Thomas, Brad Selwood, Josh Bertie, Jake Andrews, Jamie Jordan, Ethan Witchell, Bevan Cross. Subs: Keane Ashwood, Eben Mortimer-Taylor, Cole Fleming (used) Tyreese Carter, Lewis Porter (unused)

With thanks to matchday sponsor Moonraker Beds. If you would like to be a matchday or match ball sponsor please contact the club.

Report: Andy Bown