Westbury United 2010-2011

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Tuesday 19 April 2011

UNITED SLIP TO HOME DEFEAT AGAINST FELLOW STRUGGLERS
Westbury United 0-2 Keynsham Town

When these 2 teams met just a few weeks earlier the match ended in a dull 0-0 draw and this game looked to be heading the same way until the visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute! The result means Westbury will now struggle to finish above the bottom 4 places in the league.  Manager Steve Seals had to make several late team changes with Army player Aaron Houghton unavailable and captain Jason Collier called away to his job as a firefighter!

Goalscoring chances were few and far between for most of the evening, but when they did occur both teams should have done better in front of goal. In the first half United’s Beau Blakeman twice failed to hit the target from very close range and at the other end Josh Dyer was equally as wasteful with several opportunities.

Towards the end of the first half both keepers were able to get in on the action with Jason Grubb making a fine low save from Dyer and Lionel Fear punching the ball away bravely when under pressure after a good Dave Atkinson cross.

Town were the better side in the second half and had chances through Luke Lipinski, Ryan Beak and Dyer, but only Lipinski’s threatened a goal with Lewis Collier making a good block on the line.

Matt Mead provided some much needed impetus for Westbury with two strikes in quick succession that Fear saved, however soon after the opening goal was scored by Keynsham. Lipinski showed good skill to make room for a cross from the right wing and Ian MacHattie ran in at the far post to finish powerfully.

United twice came close to drawing level : Simon Millard’s fine play and pacy cross found Nick Mead whose fierce shot was blocked by Josh Bruton then Blakeman passed in to Bone who hit a first time effort wide.

The visitors made the points safe in the 89th minute when Chris Douglas’ pace took him through into a one on one with Grubb and he made no mistake to make it 0-2.

TEAM – Jason Grubb, Lewis Collier, Luke Stanley, David Whyte, Paul Beavers, Dave Atkinson,
           Kieron Kiff, Tom Berrington, Matt Mead, Beau Blakeman, Nick Mead
SUBS – Chris Bone, Simon Millard (used) Steve Seals (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Good Friday 22 April 2011

BRADFORD TRIUMPH IN ACTION PACKED DERBY
Bradford Town 4-2 Westbury United

This local derby, played on a hot and sunny Good Friday lunchtime, provided plenty of entertainment for the spectators but saw Westbury go down to a defeat that confined them to a bottom 4 finish.
United took the lead after just 5 minutes when Beau Blakeman latched on to Lewis Collier’s long ball and finished classily past Craig Guthrie.

Bradford took control of the game with a series of set pieces which were defended poorly by Westbury and Nick Ross sent a free header over the bar from a Martin Johnson corner. Jason Grubb saved excellently when Sam Jordan broke through one on one but he had no chance with Jerad O’Pray’s equaliser on 21 ; Gavin Eyre was given too much space to cross and United left 3 attackers unmarked, 1 of which was O’Pray who directed a header into the net.

The visitors had a few half chances for Blakeman who stretched and headed off target and Lewis Collier who forced Guthrie into a save, but Town took the lead on 36 when, with Westbury’s defence sleeping, Jake Hiscocks played a quick free kick in to Jordan and, having hit the post with his first effort, he was able to react and tap in the rebound.

The 3rd goal came from the left wing where, as with Eyre earlier in the half, Ricky Trott was allowed far too much space and his angled strike was parried wide by Grubb ; Dave Percival swung in the resulting corner and it was Trott who ran in totally unmarked to head into the top corner.

The hosts had countless chances in the second half with Percival at the heart of their play; he hit the bar with a long range free kick and then sent in a corner that Ross headed over. A series of passes between Johnson and Hiscocks set up Jordan and his 18 yarder was deflected wide before Percival showed good pace and a fine cross seemed certain to be finished off by Jordan but he missed the ball completely!

Westbury got themselves back in the game against the run of play on 63 when Nick Mead played the ball forward to Simon Millard and he turned before firing a top quality strike into the far corner to make it 3-2.

Having given themselves a chance United then went and conceded a penalty just a minute later! Lewis Collier fouled Jordan and Johnson struck the spot kick confidently to complete the scoring.

How the scoreline stayed at 4-2 was down to poor finishing ; Percival, Steve Hulbert and Jordan were all off target while Grubb made a fine double save from Jordan when it seemed easier for him to find the net. At the other end half chances fell to Sam McQueen, Matt Mead and Blakeman and the closest they came was when Luke Stanley shot wide from 20 yards.

STAR MAN – Dave Percival (Bradford Town)

TEAM – Jason Grubb, Steve Seals, Jason Collier, Lewis Collier, Ian Kennedy, Dave Atkinson,
           Luke Stanley, Matt Mead, Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Nick Mead
SUBS – Sam McQueen, Tom Whyte (both used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 30 April 2011

UNITED LET LEAD SLIP TO LOSE ON FINAL DAY
Westbury United 2-4 Cadbury Heath

United let a golden opportunity to end their disappointing season on a high slip away as Heath scored 4 goals in the final 20 minutes!

Westbury were dominant for the entire first half and their goals, both set up by Steve Gayton throw ins,  were scored by Beau Blakeman on 16 minutes and Simon Millard just 2 minutes later.

However, with Cadbury warming up for the League Cup final they were never going to give up and Nick Dyer pulled a goal back on 70. Dyer drew his side level soon after and then George Boon put them 2-3 ahead. The final goal was scored by Chris Astley and meant Westbury finished the season 3rd from bottom in the league.

TEAM – Jason Grubb, David Whyte, Nick Mead, Jason Collier, Lewis Collier, Steve Gayton,
           Luke Stanley, Chris Bone, Beau Blakeman, Simon Millard, Myles Gorey
SUBS – Dave Atkinson, Steve Seals, Matt mead (all used)


Westbury United Presentation Evening

The end of season Presentation Evening will be held in the Club House on Friday 13 May from 7.30pm. Awards will be presented to players from the First and Reserve Teams. All are welcome to attend this event and a buffet will be served during the evening.

[Jayday]

What a disastrous season. Lets hope they can put it behind them and focus on next season. Good luck to all those involved in the club.

[Andy]

Westbury United Presentation Evening and Season Review

Westbury United held their annual Presentation Evening on Friday 13 May with awards given to players from the First Team and Reserve Team as well as others who were recognised for their efforts during the season.

On the whole 2010-2011 was a poor season for the Club on the pitch with the First Team finishing 3rd from bottom in Toolstation Western League Division One and the Reserves in 4th place in Trowbridge and District League Division One, that after being in with a shout of winning the league going into the final few matches.

As for the First Team, the season was one of unrest. New Manager Andy Crabtree only stayed in the job until quitting in the Autumn, there was then a brief period with Paul Brickley back in temporary charge until veteran player Steve Seals took over in the New Year.

Seals brought about much needed improvement of team spirit as well as an initial good run of form and then, after a long losing streak, a fine set of results in April to stave off the threat of relegation. However that was the story of the season, short good bursts of form among long runs of poor results. The nucleus is there for a team to do better next season and that is hopefully what will occur.

First Team Awards
Manager’s Player : Jason Collier
Player’s Player : Jason Collier
Most Improved Player : Nick Mead
Supporters Player : Jason Collier
Top Scorer : Simon Millard
Most Appearances : Simon Millard

Reserve Team Awards
Manager’s Player : Tom Whyte
Player’s Player : Gary Tugwell
Most Improved Player : Adam Bishop
Top Scorer : Marc Lanfear
Most Appearances : Tom Whyte and Ashley Easton

Miscellaneous Awards
Club Person : Reg Osman
Supporter : Stuart Speed
Away Supporter : Carl Board

Club President Recognition
Westbury United’s long serving Club President Ernie Barber will be a guest of honour at the Western League’s Annual Convention to be held in Torquay later in May. Ernie has held many roles in his 80 years at the Club and the honour is much deserved for his long service to football in Westbury.

[Mike Hawkins]

After so many managers, how could Westbury do well?

The end of the season will be decided upon how well the players have done!

Westbury Football Club will do better in the next season, if players realise they are playing for the prestige of Westbury (not themselves - this will automatically follow!) Forget the Manager, as in the Leagues, if they do not perform, they will go!

Westbury Football Club can and will do better - if they have the commitment!

If players do not have this commitment, they should stand down, and let those who wish to do their town proud have a chance!

[tictac]

I totally agree with Mike!!

Now is the perfect opportunity to get players in who actually want and care for Westbury not just players from all over the wiltshire area who just want a game of football on a saturday and try and pick up some money.

We have been through this before but nothing changes and to be honest never will.....

I have seen a few games at the end of season and to be honest didnt know any of the players and even got told they wasnt local players!!

Isnt it about time Westbury started to play the Westbury lads I know from these players they dont care about getting paid and without doubt give everything for the green and white shirt....
I hear people go on about oh you need players with an experiance head etc etc and what good did that do for Westbury this yr!!

I have watched the reserves play on more occasions then the 1st team due to the fact they care for the shirt and they are local.

It appears to me that people at Westbury just dont want to change but after nearly finishing bottom of what is now really just a wilts league table it really is pretty embarrassing


I know me writing this will have no effect what so ever but someon has to make the change soon. I would say Thank you to the oversees players they had this yr but goodbye we are sticking with Westbury lads this yr!!

I know it sounds like I got a bee in my bonnet but trust me this comes from someone who cares about Westbury and has done for many yrs.

Andy I know your in the know maybe you could be the one to make this change.....

[Mike Hawkins]

Well said "tictac". Give the local players who want to play for Westbury a chance. They may not, at the moment, be the best but with a good manager and coach will provide the results and be a credit to the town.  I would far rather support local players who really try, than foreigners who just want a game of football and don't really care about the result!

[Andy]

Not a single foreigner has played for Westbury Utd this past season!

[Mike Hawkins]

Not a single foreigner has played for Westbury Utd this past season!

Thanks for the correction Andy!

[tictac]

Hi Andy the overseas players was more just a play on words. I was just getting at the fact there is easily 14-16 players from westbury who could play in the 1st team but people just won't let them in...

[Andy]

Well get them all in touch with Sealsy, or vice versa, and turn up for pre season training raring to go  !

[tictac]

Well I think bridges need to be repaired young players have become disillusioned due to not getting a look in. I really do hope it can be turned around. I would be willing to say a complete westbury based side could easily compete at this level and also then your get friends and family through the gates.. Now is the time to do it.