Wincanton Town 5-2 Westbury United – Toolstation Division One, Sat. 8th Nov.

Westbury pushed promotion chasing Wincanton all the way and at one stage came within a whisker of making the score 3-3 before the hosts scored two late goals to seal victory. 

Due to unavailability and injury manager Mark Hurkett was again forced into making a number of changes, however the squad did themselves proud.

Both teams played some excellent football which created frequent chances on a slippery surface, and Town scored first after just two minutes when Jamie Jordan got on the end of a good move to finish easily.

Wincanton’s attackers looked set to have a field day early on and the outstanding Mali Benjamin as well as Matt Chant and Lee Gale all missed chances before United equalised in superb style on 11; Mark Young ran forward from midfield and struck a great low drive that flew into the net!

Young almost set up another goal for his side a minute later but his accurate corner kick was headed against the crossbar by Mitch Spackman – the same player also headed over soon after but in between those chances visiting keeper Callum Hotine did well to deny Gale and Benjamin.

It was Gale whose skill set up his sides’ 2nd goal on 25 with a low skidding cross finding the unmarked Jack Mitchell who tapped the ball into an unguarded net. Gale and Benjamin had further opportunities to add goals before the break but found Hotine in good form.

There was even more action after half time with a spectacular sunset the backdrop to numerous goalscoring chances. First to threaten was home skipper Mike Taylor who headed wide at a set piece before more fine play by Benjamin set up Gale whose strike hit a post.

Westbury got going again and several fine moves were unrewarded when Marc Lanfear and Nick Taylor were unable to apply a finishing touch. With the bit between their teeth excellent play by Lanfear and Spackman saw the ball played to Nick Taylor and he produced a flying finish from the edge of the box to make it 2-2 on the hour.

Lanfear looped a header wide before Town regained their lead on 66 when Mitchell’s deep cross found Gale and this time he hit the target.

Nick Taylor continued his fine form and almost equalised again with a well struck free kick that was spilt by Jonny Hill in the Wincanton goal with the keeper having to pounce to claim the ball under pressure. Having kept their lead intact the home side made the points safe on 78 when Chant arrived to power in a header at a set piece. He then found the crossbar with another headed attempt before Lanfear had a shot at the other end which caused trouble for Hill with the ball being scrambled away when youngster Josh Whitehead looked to follow up.

There was still time for Hotine to make a brilliant save from Gale but the prolific striker was not to be outdone as he got on the end of a fast break to complete the scoring late on.

STAR MEN – Mali Benjamin (Wincanton Town) and Nick Taylor (Westbury United). TEAM – Callum Hotine, Ryan Elliott, Grant Gunning, Dan Hurkett, Harry Hamlin, Lee Stevens, Mark Young, Mitch Spackman, Josh Maguire, Marc Lanfear, Nick Taylor. SUBS – Ashley Styles, Josh Whitehead, Jack Hayward (all used).