Against the advice of their groundsman Westbury were made to get the match on on what had, a day earlier, been declared a frozen pitch.
The win and resulting three points means United already have the same number of points with which they ended the 2015/16 season, and have 20 games still to play.
The first half was an evenly matched affair, but not in a positive way – neither team seemed to want to get control of the game which lead to a pretty forgettable half of football until, in the 44th minute, George Bendle latched onto a pass that Jamie Jordan had slid down the side.
Bendle cut inside and powered the ball past the keeper at his near post.
The second half was when Westbury started to get a foothold in the game. United’s Jordan Pinder and captain James Hounsell were providing the base and support to allow Nick Taylor, on his first start of the season, to be a constant menace to the Chard defence.
Nick’s athleticism and aggression constantly provided chances for Westbury, and his hard work paid off after 66 minutes when Pinder found himself in the wide right position. Pinder delivered the ball over the keeper’s head and the onrushing Taylor powered the ball and everyone who was in his way into the net.
Ian Groves came on after 69 minutes, replacing Otis Young, and scored with his first touch. The ball was fizzed out to Jamie Jordan from Taylor; Jordan’s outstanding first touch took him past the defender, he drove towards goal and very unselfishly squared the ball for Groves to dispatch into the net.
Westbury’s third goal seemed to spur Chard into life and if it wasn’t for two excellent saves by Westbury’s goalkeeper Charlie Heydon the scoreline would have been closer.
Westbury held on and managed to finish with a clean sheet, three goals and three points which means that they have matched their total points from the 2015-16 campaign with half a season left to play.
Westbury’s next match is away to Roman Glass St George on Saturday 10th December before welcoming promotion contenders Wellington to Meadow Lane on 17th December.
Star Man: Nick Taylor. Westbury team: Charlie Heydon, Dan Price, Jordan Lawrence, Matt Jones, Jordan Pinder, James Hounsell (C), Jamie Jordan, Nick Taylor, George Bendle, Otis Young, Ferris Lamrabet. Subs (used): Grant Gunning, Ian Groves, Nathan Hallett-Young.
