Westbury United 2010-2011

[Andy]

Westbury United Pre Season Information

Westbury United have a number of pre season friendlies in the next few weeks as new First Team Manager Andy Crabtree begins his job. The highlight will be the home fixture versus Frome Town on Saturday 31 July when the Bert Back Memorial Trophy will be played for.

The full list of friendlies is below, however one may be added on Saturday 7 August because, although that date is when the Toolstation League Division One season starts, due to the odd number of teams, one team will miss out and United are that team on the opening day! Also listed are the early league and FA Cup/FA Vase fixtures, which include a first ever meeting with Hellenic League sides Bicester Town (in the Cup) and Ardley Utd (in the Vase).

Friendlies
Tuesday 20 July, Shafestbury Town, Away, 7.45pm : Drew 2-2
Friday 23 July, Warminster Town, HOME, 7.45pm
Tuesday 27 July, Welton Rovers, Away, 7.45pm
Thursday 29 July, Bitton, HOME, 7.45pm,
Sat 31 July, Frome Town, HOME, 3pm
Tuesday 3 August, Radstock Town, HOME, 7.45pm

Season Proper
Tuesday 10 August, Roman Glass St George, HOME, League, 7.45pm
Saturday 14 August, Bicester Town, Away, FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, 3pm
Saturday 21 August, Hengrove Athletic, HOME, League, 3pm
Monday 23 August, Melksham Town, Away, League, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 August, Possible FA Cup Preliminary Round, Bishops Cleeve, Away
Saturday 4 September, Ardley Utd, HOME, FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round
Saturday 11 September, Oldland Abbotonians, Away, League, 3pm
Tuesday 14 September, Chard Town, HOME, League, 7.45pm
Saturday 18 September, Possible FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 25 September, Bridport, HOME, League, 3pm

New Sponsor for Website
Westbury United’s website www.westburyunited.co.uk has a new sponsor with local brewery Wadworths having agreed a deal for this coming season which is worth £1000.

Dads v Over 35s Match
Saturday 24 July will see the Dads of Westbury Youth take on a Westbury United Over 35s team at 2pm at Westbury United’s Meadow Lane ground. The bar will be open through the afternoon and a barbecue will be running too.

[Andy]

Won 2-0 and 2-1 in last few games. The match at home tomorrow is cancelled, so next up is Frome Town on Saturday.

[Andy]

Friendly results

2-2 v Shaftesbury
2-1 win v Welton
2-0 win v Warminster
1-3 defeat v Frome Town
1-0 win v Radstock Town

First league match will be HOME v Roman Glass St George on Tuesday evening (10 Aug) at 7.45pm

[Clevercat]

Surprised you are still finding the time for football Andy 

[Andy]

Surprised you are still finding the time for football Andy 

LOL  .

Funnily after reading the above, a much needed week away meant I missed the first 2 proper matches of the season!

A 1-3 home league defeat against Roman Glass St George and 2-0 away win in the FA Cup at Bicester Town.

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 21 August 2010

LATE GOAL DENIES WESTBURY A POINT
Westbury United 1-2 Hengrove Athletic

Westbury were denied their first point of the season when Hengrove striker Joe Parsons scored his second goal of the afternoon in injury time! The goal ensured that Athletic maintained their 100% record so far.

Andy Crabtree’s new look Westbury played some lovely football at times and the front two of Simon Millard and Luke Stanley look set to cause problems for defences all season. Ian Kennedy and Simon Rustell bring plenty of energy to the midfield and the defence is again led by the captain Dan Dominy. If individual errors and players switching off at set pieces can be stopped then points shouldn’t be too far away.

Parsons opened the scoring on 8 minutes when Ben Crewe broke down the right wing and crossed to his tall colleague who sent a bullet header into the net.

United got into their stride soon after with Hengrove keeper Courtney Redwood saving well from Rustell before Kennedy fired the ball over the bar. The equalising goal arrived in spectacular style on 28 when Millard recived the ball 20 yards from goal and chipped it expertly over Redwood and into the net for his 3rd goal in 2 games.

Carl Crabtree saved well from Bradley Haynes and then Redwood made a fine double save from Kennedy’s 20 yarder and Stanley’s close range rebound.

As in the first half the visitors started better after the break and Carl Crabtree saved excellently from Crewe and Shane Cummins.
Millard and Stanley began to link up effectively and the latter was inches from connecting with his partner’s low ball. Both players then forced Redwood into saves, with Stanley guilty of a poor effort when well placed 10 minutes from the end.

The winning goal came in added on time when Parsons firstly forced a corner and then got on the end of the flag kick to prod the ball over the line.

*STAR MEN – James Rustell (Westbury United) & Joe Parsons (Hengrove Athletic)

TEAM – Carl Crabtree, Mark Young, James Pocock, Dan Dominy, Sam Thomson, Lee Oakley,
           Ian Kennedy, James Rustell, Simon Millard, Luke Stanley, James Bone
SUBS – Dean Caslake, Beau Blakeman, Steve Seals (all used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Monday 23 August 2010

DERBY WIN GIVES UNITED THEIR FIRST POINTS
Melksham Town 0-1 Westbury United

Westbury United picked up their first points of the season with a narrow derby victory at Melksham. The hosts’ pitch was in superb condition and set the scene for a close fought game in which their squad contained 7 players who used to play for United! One of those players, goalkeeper Nick Evans, gifted his former team the winning goal when he fumbled a second half free kick into the net!

Westbury dominated much of the first half and had chances for man of the match captain Dan Dominy - who headed Dean Caslake’s set piece over the bar - and the excellent Simon Millard who latched onto James Rustell’s through ball and forced Evans into a low save.

United’s defence, led by the outstanding Dominy and with composed debuts for Mike Reaney and Tom Berrington,  kept Town at bay for almost the entire half and only Tom Robinson threatened with some neat passing from midfield.
Home striker Gary Higdon should have given Melksham the lead before the break however when, with them finally creating an opening, Robinson’s cross found Higdon totally unmarked but he could only find the side-netting. Then, with the clock counting down, Robinson again set up Higdon who was off target for the second time.

The only goal came with the first action of the second half on 50 minutes : Caslake took a free kick from wide on the left and, with veteran Gary Lewis ready to pounce, Evans flapped at the ball and diverted it into the goal!

United seemed to panic at being ahead and Town substitute, Nick Ridout, was denied by his former team mate when Sayeed Ibrahim blocked a fierce strike. Both Higdon and Simon Gillatt were narrowly off target in quick succession.

Having survived the Melksham pressure with their lead intact, Westbury found their stride again and substitute Luke Stanley showed lovely skill to set up Millard and Evans had to excel to turn away a 25 yard curler. Play flowed from end to end in the closing stages and, after Evans had denied Millard in a one on one situation, Town counter attacked and Ridout hit the ball over the bar as Andy Crabtree’s side held on to claim the points.

*STAR MAN – Dan Dominy (Westbury United)

TEAM – Carl Crabtree, Mark Young, Tom Berrington, Dan Dominy, Mike Reaney, Dean Caslake,
           Ian Kennedy, James Rustell, Simon Millard, Gary Lewis, Chris Bone
SUBS – Sayeed Ibrahim, Beau Blakeman, Luke Stanley (all used)

[Andy]

FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
Saturday 28 August 2010

BATTLING UNITED IN UNLUCKY CUP EXIT
Bishops Cleeve 4-0 Westbury United

For 70 minutes Westbury held their opponents from two leagues higher and there never looked to be such a gap between the teams. Cleeve play in the same league as Frome Town and will surely need to play considerably better in their own division to be successful! As for United, they continued from the excellent 1-0 win at Melksham with a performance of strength and neat passing football that frustrated their hosts until a penalty kick 20 minutes from the end.

Westbury started better than Cleeve and could have scored early with Beau Blakeman firing over from 10 yards and Sayeed Ibrahim having an effort blocked by Mark Pritchett.

In between some tough tackling by both sides chances came at both ends. Kevin Slack was a constant threat for the home side and he set up Richard Mansell who had a shot blocked. They also went close through James Avery who skilfully beat four Westbury players before being stopped by Dan Dominy. United counter attacked and the evergreen Steve Seals set up a large period of pressure during which Ibrahim, Blakeman and Simon Millard all failed to connect as they tried to shoot!

Slack outpaced Dominy shortly before half time and it took fine work by keeper Carl Crabtree to deny him a goal and then Mansell blasted a strike just over from 20 yards.

The Bishops pegged Westbury back for large periods of the second half as their experience began to tell, but still United held on and defended stoutly. Mansell and Slack showed good skill to create openings but both were off target and, in a fine attack, Dean Caslake tried his luck for Westbury and saw his 20 yard half volley go just wide.

More pressure from Cleeve led to Elliot Kennedy wasting a one on one chance and soon after Slack again got past Dominy before being tackled superbly by Mark Young as he was about to shoot.
With a replay looking likely the deadlock was broken on 70 when the otherwise faultless James Pocock handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Slack stepped up and scored from the spot.

This was where the difference in league levels began to show and, as Westbury pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the previously poor ex Cheltenham Town forward Julian Alsop headed in the second goal from Lee Davis’ corner.

Ibrahim battled his way through to a shooting position with seven minutes remaining but Tom King made a great low save and, after that opportunity to set up a tense finale had passed, the home side raced forward and Slack netted his second to make it 3-0. Then, with time running out, Avery set up Alex Sykes to make it a barely understandable 4-0.

STAR MEN – Kevin Slack (Bishops Cleeve) & James Pocock (Westbury United

TEAM – Carl Crabtree, Mark Young, Tom Berrington, Dan Dominy, James Pocock, Dean Caslake,
           Steve Seals, Sayeed Ibrahim, Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Chris Bone
SUBS – Sam Thomson, Stewart Lisowski, Peter Drew (all used)

[Andy]

FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
Saturday 4 September 2010

UNITED BOW OUT TO EXCELLENT ARDLEY
Westbury United 0-3 Ardley United

After their exit to Bishops Cleeve in the FA Cup, Westbury have now bowed out of the FA Vase to another higher league opponent. On this occasion they were outplayed by an Ardley United team who will surely be challenging to the Hellenic Premier League title.

The visitors controlled large parts of the match, with left winger Lewis Travers their outstanding player. Westbury had little answer to the pace of Travers and the strength of his team mates. As often seems to be the case, Dan Dominy was excellent in defence and hopefully his example will rub off on others as the league matches resume shortly.

Travers created the opening goal on 15 minutes when he broke down the left and crossed to the unmarked Murray Nicholls who finished with ease at the back post.

Westbury played some good football and during the opening period half chances were created for Luke Stanley, Simon Millard, Dean Caslake and Tom Berrington but none really threatened keeper Kurt Fox.

Ardley could have doubled their lead before half time but Andrew Stidder nodded the ball wide from inside the six yard box while Carl Crabtree did well to deny Travers.

The first chance of the second half fell to Stanley on 48, but his 20 yarder was comfortably saved by Fox and just a minute later the score became 0-2. The tall Ben Milner had an effort at goal and Sayeed Ibrahim handled the ball leading to a penalty being awarded : Adam Garner stepped up to score from the spot.

Stidder headed wide again just after the hour and Fox then saved well as Beau Blakeman struck a fine shot from 25 yards. That was as close as Westbury came to getting back into the game though and the result was sealed for Ardley on 78 : Travers got the goal he deserved when he again ran down  the left wing before cutting inside and firing the ball past Crabtree.

STAR MEN – Dan Dominy (Westbury United) & Lewis Travers (Ardley United)

TEAM – Carl Crabtree, Mark Young, Tom Berrington, Dan Dominy, James Pocock, Dean Caslake,
            Jack Metcalf, Sayeed Ibrahim, Simon Millard, Luke Stanley, Chris Bone
SUBS – Sam Thomson, Beau Blakeman, Lewis Collier (all used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 11 September 2010

WASTEFUL FINISHING COSTS UNITED DEAR
Oldland Abbotonians 4-1 Westbury United

Westbury paid the price for failing to convert a number of first half chances as Oldland ended up taking a 2-0 lead into half time before extending their advantage after the break.
United were by far the better team for 40 minutes and The Abbots struggled to show why they are among the early leaders in the league. A series of fine moves led to chances for Chris Bone : he firstly shot just over the bar from the edge of the box and then, after a lovely move by Dan Dominy, Jack Metcalf and Simon Millard, Bone struck a fierce left footer that Nick Yeo somehow tipped over the bar! Further chances followed with Steve Seals heading wide from Dean Caslake’s free kick and Bone having a half volley blocked.
Oldland created their first chance just after the half hour but good work by James Pocock prevented Matt Huxley a shot at goal. However their leading scorer soon got his name on the score sheet when he nipped in at the near post to head James Crew’s corner past Carl Crabtree on 40. Huxley then turned provider as he set up Ryan Bath whose accurate cross was diverted into his own net by Seals.

Bath made it 3-0 six minutes into the second half when he skipped past Pocock and hit a low left footer into Crabtree’s bottom right hand corner and, after Millard had missed the target at the other end, a goalmouth scramble led to Paul Bryant slamming in the host’s fourth goal.

Westbury needed to take some pride from the match and didn’t deserve to be 0-4 behind.Stanley was denied by a brave Yeo block in a one on one situation before Millard netted a consolation on 76 when he found space at a Caslake corner kick and struck the ball past Yeo.

STAR MAN – Matt Huxley (Oldland Abbotonians)

TEAM – Carl Crabtree, Jack Metcalf, Tom Berrington, Dan Dominy, James Pocock, Dean Caslake,
            Sayeed Ibrahim, Luke Stanley, Simon Millard, Chris Bone
SUBS – Sam Thomson, Beau Blakeman, Lewis Collier (all used)

Westbury United Update
Due to floodlighting issues at Meadow Lane Westbury’s two forthcoming Tuesday evening home fixtures have been postponed. Fixtures for the remainder of September have been amended and are as follows ...

Sat 18 Sept, Gillingham Town, Away, 3pm
Tues 21 Sept, Chard Town, Away, 7.45pm
Sat 25 Sept, Bridport, HOME, 3pm

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 18 September 2010

GALE’S GOAL MEANS BATTLING UNITED LOSE AGAIN
Gillingham  Town 1-0 Westbury United

Westbury battled all the way at Gillingham only to lose to a Lee Gale goal scored on 66 minutes. The match was notable for the number of goal attempts that were off target by both sides, with only a few saves having to be made by home keeper Mike Clark or United debutant Shane Mason who used to play for Cadbury Heath.

With Dan Dominy unavailable, Jack Metcalf captained Westbury for the first time and gave an assured performance at right back. Ian Kennedy’s return in midfield brought much needed steel and energy, while Craig Mullen’s debut at centre forward gave a better presence in attack.
Some good football was played by both teams but Town’s Nick Thomson and Matt Chant failed to make Mason work, however Gale brought a brave block in a one on one situation. For Westbury, chances went begging for Simon Millard, Dean Caslake and Mullen, while Clark did well to save when Millard struck two shots from outside the box.

More openings went unrewarded early in the second half : the Gills’ Nick Compton heading Joe Smeeton’s corner kick over the bar and United’s Chris Bone having an effort blocked at the end of a fast move.

The only goal came in somewhat controversial circumstances when the referee allowed a quick free kick to be taken, even though he was still talking to the Westbury player who had committed the foul! Ashley Clarke played the ball to Gale who ran into the penalty area and hit it low across the goal and inside the far post, the goal bringing protests from several United players.

United had a period of real pressure when forcing three corners : Mike Reaney headed the third of these over the bar and, as the pressure continued, Caslake struck a shot just wide, James Hatcher cleared Mullen’s flicked header as it was sneaking under the crossbar and he then headed wide from the resulting corner!

With time running out Alex Rigley could have sealed victory for Gillingham but hit his effort wide and, as Westbury counter attacked, it took some desperate defending by Compton to keep Millard and Mullen from equalising.

STAR MEN – Nick Compton (Gillingham Town) & Jack Metcalf (Westbury United)

TEAM – Shane Mason, Jack Metcalf, James Pocock, Mike Reaney, Lewis Collier, Dean Caslake,
           Ian Kennedy, Sayeed Ibrahim, Simon Millard, Craig Mullen, Chris Bone
SUBS – Beau Blakeman, Sam Thomson, Jason Collier (all used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 25 September 2010

HIGH FLYING BRIDPORT SWEEP 10 MAN UNITED ASIDE
Westbury United 1-4 Bridport
A vital incident in the 33rd minute turned this game on its head after Westbury had been the better side in the opening half hour. Wayne Wheeler was available for the first time this season but his presence could do little to help!

The home side’s Craig Mullen shot over from 20 yards before a period of pressure after a free kick saw both Mullen and Lewis Collier have shots blocked in a goalmouth scramble. Bridport’s first chance came soon after when Dan Wise’s corner found Ashley Clarke unmarked and his header brought a great fingertip save out of Shane Mason.
However it was Mason who saw a red card on 33 when Clarke got past James Pocock and rounded United’s keeper who hauled him down inside the area. The referee has no option but to award a penalty and send Mason off! The impressive Wise stepped up and scored with ease from the spot past Mason’s replacement Luke Stanley.

Westbury were shaken and The Bees took full advantage when Wise sent Ryan Dovell running in behind their defence and, one on one with Stanley, he scored easily. With half time approaching Wise tried his luck from 35 yard free kick which crashed off the crossbar!

The second half was largely one way traffic as Bridport brought up their sixth league win in six games played. Stanley saved Darren Lock’s 35 yarder, Clarke hit the post after skipping past Pocock again and Stanley did well to block another effort by Clarke. The third goal came in spectacular style on 63 : Matt Condliffe received the ball 35 yards from goal and unleashed an unstoppable screamer that flew into Stanley’s top right hand corner. More chances followed but Stanley made good saves from Clarke and Darren Watts while Matt Moors put a rebound wide.

Finally United managed to break out of their own half and a free kick was won 20 yards from goal on 77. Simon Millard took the kick and his shot was handballed in the defensive wall. A penalty was given and Lewis Collier, his team’s best player on the day, struck the spot kick past Sam Filkins to make it 1-3. Suddenly United had a sniff and Ian Kennedy hit a curler just over after beating two defenders. Then a lovely move between Sayeed Ibrahim and Millard set up James Rustell who made Filkins save excellently.

The final goal came deep into injury time when, with little pressure from any oppontents, Russell Legg hit the ball past Stanley.

*STAR MEN – Lewis Collier (Westbury United) & Dan Wise (Bridport)
TEAM – Shane Mason, Luke Stanley, James Pocock, Tom Berrington, Lewis Collier, Dean Caslake,
            Ian Kennedy, Wayne Wheeler, Simon Millard, Craig Mullen, Beau Blakeman
SUBS – James Rustell, Jason Collier, James Rustell (all used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 2 October 2010

DEBUT HATTRICK FOR PIOTROWSKI
Elmore 1-4 Westbury United

Westbury United finally found their scoring boots in a dominant 1-4 victory at Elmore. Andy Crabtree has signed Tom Piotrowski on loan from Bath City and the young striker notched a fine hattrick as his team mates excelled all round.

The Devon side had the first chance in the opening minute but Tom Kelly fired straight at Shane Mason after good work by Sam Kemp and John Reid.

After that United were by far the better team and, after Dean Caslake had a shot deflected wide, Simon Millard got in behind in the next attack and his pace allowed him the time to square the ball to Piotrowski who tapped the ball in to open the scoring on 20 minutes.

The impressive Jack Metcalf got forward a few minutes later and saw his lovely chip hit the crossbar and bounce to safety. Further chances came to Millard who poked the ball wide after being set up by Beau Blakeman and James Rustell who hit a 20 yarder over the bar.

Elmore came within inches of equalising on 36 when Kelly flicked on Steve Rowland’s direct ball and it cannoned off the post. Westbury counter attacked and good work by Metcalf set up Rustell and his fierce 25 yard shot seemed to go right through Taylor and into the net to make it 0-2.

It was almost 0-3 before half time when Millard dispossessed Matt Webb but saw his clever curler go just wide while Ian Kennedy made Taylor save well.

United were even more dominant after the break with Piotrowski and Millard causing all sorts of problems for the home defence. Caslake sent in a series of excellent set pieces which created chances for the increasingly confident away team.

Piotrowski brought a point blank save out of Taylor after a free kick hadn’t been cleared and then the keeper somehow denied Piotrowski and Blakeman in a goalmouth scramble. Lewis Collier failed to make contact with a great Caslake free kick when the ball fizzed across the six yard box. Then James Pocock’s long ball found Piotrowski who again brought the best out of Taylor with a strong effort.

The much deserved third goal came on 62 when, with Elmore’s team all over the place, Piotrowski notched his second when rolling the ball past the advancing keeper. The next goal came on 69 when Millard slid a ball into the channel which Piotrowski ran onto before finishing confidently in a one on one situation to get his hattrick.


Having scored just five league goals prior to this match, Millard almost made sure his side doubled that tally in one go but, after latching onto Rustell’s switched pass, Millard’s shot was blocked by Paul Pike.

Unnecessarily Westbury got dragged into a few scraps as the home players committed hard tackles and let frustrations spill over. This led to bookings for both sides and  a penalty being given to Elmore when Steve Seals was adjudged to have fouled Kemp : Rowland put the spot kick into Mason’s left hand corner to make it 1-4.

Still United attacked in search of more goals and, with their confidence thriving, Millard played in Blakeman who made Taylor save well before Piotroski put the ball wide. The hattrick man then when very close to a fourth but sent a header wide from Caslake’s set piece.

STAR TEAM – Westbury United : no player can be singled out in a much needed performance.

TEAM – Shane Mason, Jack Metcalf, James Pocock, Steve Seals, Lewis Collier, Dean Caslake,
           Ian Kennedy, James Rustell, Simon Millard, Tom Piotrowski, Beau Blakeman
SUBS – Carl Crabtree, Chris Bone, Sam Thomson (all used)

[Andy]

WILTSHIRE SENIOR CUP FIRST ROUND
Saturday 9 October 2010

WESTBURY SNEAK THROUGH AFTER 7 GOAL THRILLER!
Westbury United 4-3 Wootton Bassett Town

Westbury United won through to the next round of the County Cup after an epic battle with their North Wiltshire visitors. Bassett fought back from 3-0 down to almost force extra time as the action just kept on going!

United opened the scoring on 5 minutes when, after man of the match Simon Millard had brought a save out of Stuart Thompson, Dean Caslake’s corner kick fell to Tom Piotrowski and he continued from last week’s hattrick by slotting the ball in from close range.

Although there were no more goals before half time there were plenty of chances and fine saves by both Thompson and home keeper Shane Mason.  Wootton Bassett’s chances fell to Alex Green (twice) and Sam Collier while Westbury went close through Piotrowski, Millard and Seals – the latter finding shooting space after good play by James Rustell and Beau Blakeman.

Millard scored the goal of the game straight after half time : latching onto the ball 30 yards from goal he spotted Thompson off his line and unleashed a superb dipping strike to make it 2-0.

Piotrowski had two quick chances : a shot was  blocked on the line by Richie Carter and, after Millard had set him up, he then hit the side netting.

Controversy happened just before the hour when United had Ian Kennedy sent off for a second yellow card following an incident with Sam Collier. The visiting forward had jumped into a tackle and Kennedy had retaliated, his first yellow had been rather innocuous during the first half.

Undettered, Kennedy’s team mates went on to extend their lead soon after when, after Sam Collier had blasted over the bar at one end and also been tackled superbly by Dan Dominy in Bassett’s next attack, they counter attacked and were awarded a penalty when Piotrowski rounded Thompson and was brought down. The keeper was shown a yellow card and Lewis Collier struck the spot kick confidently.

With the score at 3-0 Westbury seemed to take their foot off the pedal and their opponents took advantage. In a sustained spell of pressure James Pocock cleared Carter’s header off the line and Sam Collier netted to reduce the arrears on 72. Then, with chances coming freely, Mason saved a Sam Collier header but he was not to be denied as Luke Sharps’ corner was headed powerfully into the net to make it 3-2 on 76!

Bassett continued to force openings and pacy substitute Ethan Delaney wasted a glorious chance to equalise when firing over the bar from 10 yards!

The hosts finally got out of their own half and Millard set up Chris Bone who forced Thompson into an excellent tip over save. With play entering injury time Westbury thought they had the match won when Millard dispossessed Jon Beedon and passed to Piotrowski who, with Thompson beaten, was able to tap in his 5th goal in 2 games!

But still the result wasn’t certain because Wootton Bassett piled men forward and made Steve Seals block an effort and Mason make a good save in a scramble. And, with almost the last kick of the game, Sam Collier netted for a hattrick in another scramble!

*STAR MAN – Simon Millard (Westbury united)

TEAM – Shane Mason, Steve Seals, James Pocock, Dan Dominy, Lewis Collier, Dean Caslake,
            Ian Kennedy, James Rustell, Simon Millard, Tom Piotrowski, Beau Blakeman
SUBS – Chris Bone, Jason Collier, Sam Thomson (all used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 16 August 2010

ALMONDSBURY COME BACK TO DEFEAT WESTBURY
Almondsbury UWE 2-1 Westbury United

For 70 minutes this was a forgettable match with little goalmouth action and a 0-0 draw was written all over the play. However the game completely changed in the closing stages with United taking the lead before conceding two sloppy goals and then going within millimetres of snatching a point! With Shane Mason suspended, Andy Crabtree brought in Tom Pass as his goalkeeper.

On a very bumpy pitch the nearest the hosts came to a goal was when Jordan Rogers brought a fingertip save out of Tom Pass on 27 minutes. Westbury’s best chance came at the end of the first half with a scramble following a Dean Caslake corner seeing nobody get an effort on target!

The second half looked to be heading for even fewer chances until United’s Steve Seals stretched to clear the ball over his own crossbar when under pressure on 72! Westbury then took the lead on 74 : Tom Piotrowski dispossessed Mike Palmer wide on the left wing then cut inside and, after beating two defenders, he hit a fierce shot against Jason Lewis’ right hand post and the ball cannoned into the net for his 6th goal in 3 games!

The Almonds were now in disarray and Piotrowski forced Neil Bailey into a poor back header which saw the ball beat Lewis and sneak past the post for a corner!

Pass made a superb save on 81 when Wayne Pearce got through in a one on one situation with the ball being turned wide for a corner : Harry Hardy’s flag kick wasn’t cleared and Bailey ran in to head the equaliser.

Sensing a chance to turn the game around, Almondsbury broke again just a few minutes later and a good ball in led to James Pocock’s attempted clearance skewing into the net for an own goal!

United then poured everything into attack : Caslake hit a 25 yarder wide and, with the pressure rising, Nick Mead had a drive blocked with Ian Kennedy putting the rebound wide.

Even better chances were to come in injury time with Mead having a lob cleared off the line by Adam Saunders and Simon Millard somehow putting a rebound header over the bar! Then, with the clock counting down, Saunders did even better with a remarkable piece of defending : Millard spotted Lewis off his line and hit a perfect lob which looked certain to make it 2-2 only for Saunders to race back and launch himself to kick the ball off the line!

TEAM – Tom Pass, Chris Bone, James Pocock, Steve Seals, Lewis Collier, Dean Caslake,
           Ian Kennedy, James Rustell, Simon Millard, Tom Piotrowski, Beau Blakeman
SUBS – Nick Mead, Steve Gayton (used) Sam Thomson (unused)