Westbury United 2011 - 2012

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 28 January 2012

3 WINS IN A ROW FOR RESURGENT UNITED
Westbury United 2-1 Hengrove Athletic

This was Westbury 3rd consecutive win, an achievement they hadn’t managed for nearly 2 years, and it was thoroughly deserved after a strong all round performance against side who had won their last 4 games. New signing Jamie Mines made his debut up front and set up the 2nd goal after scoring the opener from the penalty spot.

The match got off to a fast start with chances at both ends, home winger Simon Millard firing just wide in the opening minute and Lewis Dunn going close twice for Hengrove with Alex Shaftoe making a fine save from the 1st shot.

United launched a rapid counter attack on 7 minutes ; Mark Young played the ball to Millard who ran into the penalty area and was upended by Athletic keeper Courtney Redwood and a penalty awarded. Mines took responsibility for the spot kick and struck it low to Redwood’s right and into the net to open the scoring.

The visitors drew level on 11 when Westbury’s defence allowed Marcus Maggs too much space and he squared the ball to Ricky Clarke who had all the time in the world to pick his spot.

Maggs came within inches of giving his side the lead on 35 ; a fine move between Clarke and Ben Crewe created an opening which Maggs almost took full advantage of by striking a fierce effort that crashed against the crossbar and bounced down just in front of the goal line!

Westbury pushed forward towards half time and, after David Whyte had forced Redwood to show good hands by firing an on target 30 yarder, they went ahead again on 42. Mines showed excellent work rate to retrieve the ball on the left wing and played it to Beau Blakeman who sent Millard running into the box and he finished excellently with his left foot!
United started the 2nd half at a great pace and had 3 chances to increase their lead! Mines went on a run and forced Redwood to save a 20 yard shot, Blakeman played in Young and he curled his shot wide from the edge of the box and then, with the Hengrove defence stretched, Young set up Millard who wasted a glorious opening when one on one with Redwood by skewing his finish wide!

Having failed to go further ahead Westbury then came under increasing pressure as Athletic pushed men forward in search if an equaliser. Shaftoe made routine saves from shots by Clarke and Ricky Charlton while Ben Crewe dragged an effort wide when well placed. United managed to hold on to their lead and almost added a 3rd goal when Mines headed over from Gary Tugwell’s corner.

*STAR MAN – Jamie Mines (Westbury United)
TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, David Whyte, Luke Stanley, Jason Collier, Mark Pearce, Bobby Mitchell,
          Mark Young, Beau Blakeman, Simon Millard, Jamie Mines, Gary Tugwell
SUBS – DJ Wheeler (used) James Sweetman, Adam Bishop, Kieron Nunn (unused)

[Tag]

That's gotta be a record in itself! 

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 25 February 2012

YOUNG’S HATTRICK PUTS THE BOOT INTO WELLINGTON
Wellington 1-4 Westbury United

Westbury shook off their 3 week break with a resounding win at second from bottom Wellington and took their winning run to 4 consecutive matches! Mark Young worked tirelessly throughout the game and got his just reward with an excellent hattrick. Luke Stanley added the other goal in a match which despite having five goals had relatively few scoring chances!

On a surprisingly warm and sunny afternoon the play got off to a fast start but attacking play broke down at both ends as the teams defended well. There were few attempts in the 1st half ; on 20 minutes Wellington’s Dale Webber volleyed over the bar after being set up by Ian Machattie. Then with half time nearing home dangerman Marcello Akakpo showed good pace before setting up Webber who brought a fine fingertip save out of Alex Shaftoe. As play switched to the other end Bobby Mitchell and Stanley combined to set up Matt Mead and it took strong defending by Ollie Feltham to deny the Westbury forward.

The opening goal came on 54 and was just what United deserved after a strong start to the 2nd half ; Young and Mead played a one-two which allowed Young a run into a one on one situation and, with just home keeper Mick Parker to beat, he finished excellently.

A period of scrappy play followed and for a long time it seemed there would just be a single goal in the game, however that all changed with a rush of action in the closing 18 minutes! Young notched his 2nd strike on 72 when a corner kick curled straight into the net with Parker and one of his defenders at fault.

Wellington hit back immediately to give themselves a chance of trying to snatch a point when Paul Pocock set up Stuart Gould who hit a brilliant half volley beyond Shaftoe.
Westbury didn’t panic and instead went on the attack to restore their 2 goal advantage ; Shaftoe sent a direct kick forward which the home defence allowed to bounce and Stanley ran on to the ball before sending an accurate lob over the advancing Parker to make it 1-3.

With time running out and the hosts pouring men forward in search of a lifeline substitute Tarick Yachou broke on the right wing and, seeing Young completely unmarked in the middle, played the ball square which allowed Young another clear run on goal and he took his time before planting it into Parker’s bottom left hand corner!

* STAR MAN – Mark Young (Westbury United)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Tom Whyte, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Bobby Mitchell,
           Gary Tugwell, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Matt Mead, Luke Stanley
SUBS – Tarick Yachou, Adam Bishop (used) Sam Gooding (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 3 March 2012

LARDNER LEADS THE WAY FOR LUCKY CALNE
Westbury United 1-2 Calne Town

Visiting captain and midfield playmaker Dan Lardner led the way for his team as they completed a lucky double over Westbury. After dominating the opening half and opening up a 0-2 lead, Calne saw their advantage halved and were fortunate to claim victory – just as they had been in November. For United this was the end of their winning run, but they can be proud of their efforts.

Despite their early dominance it took Town 15 minutes to create a chance, however Lardner took full advantage of a quick counter attack by finishing classily after being set up by Tyler Sibbick. They could have doubled their lead quickly but Westbury keeper Alex Shaftoe saved Dan King’s free kick while Jordan Roberts fired over the bar. The 2nd goal came on 32 ; King took another set piece from the right wing and the ball fell to Sibbick who made no mistake with a close range volley.

The hosts gradually got a foothold in the game as half time drew nearer and it was Bobby Mitchell at the centre of the action as he shot over after good play by Matt Mead and Mark Young and he then fired over the bar from the edge of the penalty area. Play switched to the other end and Sibbick should have done better when he got in and attempted to round Shaftoe, however with the goal gaping he pushed the ball too wide and the danger passed for United’s defence. Just moments before the break Young tried his luck with a 20 yard free kick that was well saved by Steve Allison.

Allison continued his good work after the break by again denying Young whose pace had carried him through into a one on one situation. Mead then sent in a pinpoint set piece that somehow eluded every player in the six yard box! Westbury got a goal back in fine style on 58 ; Simon Millard, having switched to the right wing, outran his marker and received the ball from Mitchell before finishing excellently past Allison.

Further chances followed with Allison saving Millard’s left foot curler and a half volley struck by Beau Blakeman before Town began to create some openings for the first time in the half. A counter attacked seemed set to lead to a shot on goal for Levi Cox but Mark Pearce tackled him in the nick of time! Lardner went on a jinking run into the box and played the ball to Sibbick who put it a foot wide.

United were dealt a blow on 78 when Pearce was shown a second yellow card but, despite having to play the remainder of the match with 10 men, they came very close to snatching a draw! Shaftoe sent two long kicks forward that caused panic in the Calne back line ; the 1st led to Millard running on to the ball and finding the side netting while the 2nd was bravely claimed by Allison under pressure from Young. With time running out Young and Millard got themselves into the box and an effort towards goal led to a penalty appeal for handball against Craig Kent but the referee waved away the claims.

*STAR MEN – Simon Millard (Westbury United) & Dan Lardner (Calne Town)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Tom Whyte, Jason Collier, Mark Pearce, Bobby Mitchell,
           Gary Tugwell, David Whyte, Mark Young, Simon Millard, Matt Mead
SUBS – Luke Turvey, Beau Blakeman, Adam Bishop (used) Kieron Nunn (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 10 March 2012

MELKSHAM EDGE HARD FOUGHT DERBY
Melksham Town 2-1 Westbury United

Westbury paid the price for a slow start to the 2nd half as they came close to snatching a point after being 0-2 down in a derby match for the 2nd week in a row. Much of the match was a tight, hard fought affair and both teams netted from the penalty spot after Dan Griffiths had headed Town into the lead.

On a warm and sunny day Melksham, with 6 straight wins behind them, started confidently and an early penalty area scramble saw Alex Shaftoe save from David Thompson and Jason Collier clear Dan Kovacs’ header off the line!

United soon got into their stride and Bobby Mitchell dispossessed Jamie Oliver and sent Mark Young running through on goal where he was denied by Tom Drewitt’s leg save. In Westbury’s next attack Luke Turvey tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball went a few feet wide.

A scrappy period of play saw a few tackles fly in and set pieces wasted by both sides before Simon Millard’s direct ball gave Jamie Mines a chance but his first touch was poor which allowed Drewitt to save. Shaftoe had to be alert too and he made a fine save to tip a Thompson header onto his left hand post after Ian Jeffery’s  free kick. Young had a great chance to put United ahead just before half time but, having received the ball from Luke Stanley’s throw in, he somehow managed to miss the target!

Westbury were surprisingly sloppy after the break and Town took full advantage on 48 ; Luke Smith sent in a deep cross that Shaftoe called to claim but he missed the ball and Griffiths looped a header into the net to make it 1-0. 
After another scrappy period United came to equalising when a Millard corner curled and clipped the crossbar but Melksham went 2-0 up from the penalty spot on 71 ; Matt Mead bundled over Thompson and Gary Higdon made no mistake with the kick. They almost went into a 3 goal lead a minute later with a fast move that led to Kovacs heading a Higdon cross inches wide.

Westbury went on all out attack in the final 15 minutes and Mead brought a good save out of Drewitt with a 20 yard shot. They got a lifeline on 79 when, with many men forward following a free kick, Stephen Fox was fouled by Oliver and a penalty resulted ; Mines struck the spot kick confidently to set up a frantic finale.

Melksham denied United any clear chances despite them having a number of players in attacking positions and came close to adding to their tally when Shaftoe saved a late Higdon effort.

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Luke Stanley, Jason Collier, Mark Pearce, Bobby Mitchell,
           Simon Millard, Luke Turvey, Mark Young, Jamie Mines, Beau Blakeman
SUBS – Gary Tugwell, Kieron Kiff, Matt Mead (used) Adam Bishop (unused)

[Andy]

Sat 17 March, Portishead Town, HOME, 3pm
Tues 20 March, Shrewton Utd, HOME, 7.45pm

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 17 March 2012

SLOPPY UNITED LOSE OUT IN NIGGLY MATCH
Westbury United 1-3 Portishead Town

Westbury blew a great chance to go above their visitors in the league standings as they let a half time lead slip away due to sloppy defending at set pieces! The match was a very niggly, feisty encounter and at times the events were somewhat unsavoury.

Jamie Mines had a wonderful chance to open the scoring on 5 minutes when he outpaced the Portishead defence and, one on one with Seb Gribble, he rolled the ball past the Town keeper only to see it rebound off the post and Gribble did very well to regain his footing and claim the ball.

The feistiness began a few minutes later when Ash McGrane flew into a challenge with Gary Tugwell. McGrane received the first of a number of yellow cards that were dished out during the match.

The closest Portishead came in the opening period was when Kieron Marsden raced past Stephen Fox and forced Alex Shaftoe to tip his cross-shot over the bar. More late tackles and clashes followed and the play was resultingly scrappy with few openings at either end until Mines scored one of the goals of the season to put Westbury ahead on 32 ; receiving the ball 20 yards from goal he took a touch and volleyed it powerfully into the top corner!

United actually started quickly after half time and could have gone 2-0 up on 49, however Mark Young’s finishing touch after Gribble had parried a Millard shot was disallowed for offside.

For the next half hour there was only one team likely to score and that was Portishead. They took advantage of some sloppy defensive play to force corners and free kicks and scored from 3 of the resulting set pieces. The equaliser came on 59 when Nick Lawton’s deep corner was met by a fine header from McGrane with the ball finding the same top corner as Mines’ earlier goal!

Town quickly went into the lead when a weak James Clarke free kick was allowed to run to Sam Charman and he stroked an equally weak shot beyond Shaftoe.

An unsavoury incident followed on 73 when Millard was given a yellow card for supposed dissent and a further caution straight after saw him dismissed from the field with bemusement from players and supporters of both sides! This led to a period where neither side could quite get on properly with the game as the officials’ decisions caused confusement.

Young tried his best to get United level with Gribble making a fine save from an 18 yarder while another shot was well blocked. Gribble also did well to deny Luke Stanley who had broke forward to get on the end of a fine move between Kieron Kiff and Young.

The visitors settled the match with another set piece goal on 87 ; Joe White’s corner was met by Clarke who guided his header into the net.

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Luke Stanley, Jason Collier, Mark Pearce, Bobby Mitchell,
            Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Jamie Mines, Mark Young, Gary Tugwell
SUBS – Matt Mead, Kieron Kiff (used) Pete Drew (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Tuesday 20 March 2012

SHREWS HOLD OFF WESTBURY’S COMEBACK IN RIVETING DERBY!
Westbury United 2-3 Shrewton United

Westbury produced a rousing 2nd half comeback having trailed 0-3 after 52 minutes and really should have taken a point from a match that had 29 goalscoring attempts! Both teams attacked openly throughout the 90 minutes as the visitors reversed the scoreline from the return fixture before Christmas.

Play was end to end right from the opening exchanges with Shrewton’s Thomas Judd curling an 18 yarder wide and Westbury’s Jamie Mines trying a 25 yard shot that Chris Brewer saved easily.

The impressive Seb Dawes put his side ahead on 8 minutes when slack defending from Kyle Tryhorn’s ball in from the right allowed Dawes the chance to poke the ball into the net.

Kieron Kiff, making his first start of the season, caused trouble with his pace and having received the ball from Bobby Mitchell his goalbound drive was blocked by Oliver Hoare. Play switched to the other end where Dawes worked space for himself and picked his spot looking set to make it 0-2 only for Alex Shaftoe to parry the ball away. Next it was the home team who attacked and Brewer erred under pressure from Mines, but Luke Stanley could only put his first time effort wide with the keeper in no mans land!

Mitchell unleashed a stunning shot that went narrowly wide and Shaftoe palmed wide Tryhorn’s header from a Dawes corner kick as further chances came for both sides. Shaftoe then sent a long kick upfield which Mines flicked on forcing Brewer to show good hands ; this time Brewer kicked directly and Dawes raced through one on one with Shaftoe and, having done the hard work to round Westbury’s keeper, wasted the opportunity!

Kiff got himself into the danger area on the half hour and hit a low cross-shot that Brewer got a touch to, but it went straight to Mines who looked certain to equalise only for Brewer to atone with a great point blank save!

It surely couldn’t have stayed at 0-1 for much longer and that proved to be the case as Shrewton doubled their lead on 38 ; great play between Lee Weekes and Dean Foot sent Dawes running clear again and this time he beat Shaftoe to make it 0-2 at the break.

There was no let up in the attacking play after half time, only this time it was Westbury who had more chances with Simon Millard on the right wing sending in dangerous cross after dangerous cross to create openings. The first of these came straight after the restart as his pace carried him into the box where he squared the ball to Kiff who somehow missed the target from just 6 yards!

Having kept their 2 goal lead intact Shrewton looked to have wrapped up the points on 52 with their 3rd goal coming via a rapid counter attack led by Weekes who passed to Judd and his run and cross found the onrushing Foot who finished clinically.

Far from be downhearted at trailing 0-3, Westbury became even more attacking and a series of chances went begging! Stephen Fox sent Millard running down the right and he played the ball in to Stanley who had ran from the opposite wing to strike a fierce effort that cannoned off the crossbar, down onto the line and bounced away from goal! Millard then took a fizzing set piece that Mark Young, just on as sub for Kiff, got a touch to with the ball flying just wide and then Beau Blakeman got in on the act with a 25 yard strike that forced Brewer into a save.

Finally the home team pulled a deserved goal back on 63 ; it was no surprise that Millard was the creator as he set up Young who cleverly worked space on the edge of the box before striking beautifully with his left foot!

At 1-3 it was anyone’s game as Shrewton were clearly rattled by Westbury’s head of steam, however they could have restored their 3 goal advantage when Judd’s pass allowed Dawes another one on one situation but this time he lobbed weakly at Shaftoe.

Westbury had another series of chances ; Blakeman played the ball to Stanley who showed good pace before shooting a foot wide, Mines and Stanley combined in a clever one-two move with Mines’ resulting 20 yard effort going wide, Millard crossed to Mines and he missed the target again with a header before repeating the act from Matt Mead’s set piece!

Shrewton managed to break away on 79 with Judd firing over from 18 yards, but Mines set up a grandstand finish by further reducing his side’s arrears with 7 minutes remaining ; yet again Millard caused panic to his marker before crossing to Young whose header looked to be going in but Mines made sure with the final touch to score his 4th goal in 4 games.

The visiting team seemed to want the final whistle but they had to survive several more scares as Westbury went very close to snatching a draw! For the umpteenth time Millard crossed the ball into the box and this time Mead ran in but saw his effort saved by Brewer. The final chance fell to Jason Collier who was forward for a Stanley long throw in with his effort flying over the bar!

*STAR MEN – Simon Millard (Westbury United) & Seb Dawes (Shrewton United)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Mark Pearce, Bobby Mitchell,
           Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Jamie Mines, Kieron Kiff, Luke Stanley
SUBS – Mark Young, Matt Mead, Tarick Yachou (used) Adam Bishop, Gary Tugwell (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 24 March 2012

5TH CONSECUTIVE DEFEAT AS UNITED’S SEASON THREATENS TO PETER OUT
Roman Glass St George 1-0 Westbury United

Westbury failed to score for the first time since Boxing Day as their 4 match winning run from earlier in the year became a distant memory with this 5th successive defeat! There was a distinct end of season feel to the game which was played on a very warm and sunny day.  For the most part Bobby Mitchell controlled the game in Westbury’s midfield and his organisation seemed set to gain a draw until a late winner for the hosts.
The action was absorbing rather than exciting during the opening half with United having the better attempts at goal ; Mitchell and Mark Young hit shots off target while home keeper Josh Compton made saves from Beau Blakeman and Simon Millard as well as the best strike of the half just before the break when Tarick Yachou volleyed powerfully.

Roman Glass had less openings with Nathan Churchill heading wide and Paul Coles forcing Alex Shaftoe to save his header at the end of a good move.
Play got off to a scrappy start after half time until a lovely move between Yachou and Young saw the latter beat Compton to the ball but put his finish just over the bar.

Blakeman got on the end of Young’s flick on from a direct ball by Shaftoe and shot wide from 25 yards and Simon Millard’s pace created a chance from which he too missed the target, but from that point on St George stepped up their pressure with Dan Burton coming to the fore from the left wing.
Burton worked space for himself and hit a fine 20 yarder that Shaftoe did well to save and there followed a series of corners as the pressure increased. With just 4 minutes remaining Burton swung in a flag kick and substitute Liam Jenkins nipped in to head the ball into the net to win the points!

*STAR MEN – Dan Burton (RGSG) & Bobby Mitchell (Westbury United)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Luke Stanley, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Bobby Mitchell,
           Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Tarick Yachou, Gary Tugwell
SUBS – Kieron Nunn (used) Adam Bishop, Sam Gooding, Jamie Mines (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 31 March 2012

KEEPER’S LATE PENALTY EARNS UNITED A POINT!
Keynsham Town 1-1 Westbury United

Westbury ended their losing streak with a very well earned point at Keynsham. Goalkeeper Alex Shaftoe netted a last minute penalty to equalise after the home side had scored a barely deserved opener midway through the 2nd half. Beau Blakeman had one of his best games for the team with a creative, strong performance in midfield.

Playing on Town’s new artificial all weather surface, United settled quickly and seemed to enjoy the challenge of a different pitch.  They dominated the opening half hour, forced numerous corner kicks and also created chances in open play. Mark Young, Simon Millard and Jamie Mines had efforts that were off target. Attempts that went closer were for Millard who had a shot blocked on the line by Connor Kingdon and Bobby Mitchell who brought a save out of Lionel Fear after fine play between Blakeman and Millard.

It took the home team over half an hour to create any openings and when they did so both Steve Machin and Luke Lipinski were wayward with their efforts. Then just before the break a goalmouth scramble led to Paul Poiner chipping the ball into the 6 yard box where Machin headed it goalwards and Shaftoe saved well.

The 2nd half followed a very similar pattern with Mines and Millard going close early on and Mitchell having a 20 yarder blocked after a Young corner was only partially cleared. Keynsham defender Aaron Marshall almost scored an own goal when he got his head to David Whyte’s direct ball but Fear managed to tip it over the bar! Moments later Millard showed good skill to allow space for a cross that Luke Stanley ran onto and fired inches over the bar!

In a rare attack for Town they managed to win a corner kick and, as with many conceded goals in recent games, the opening score of this match came from an opposition set piece! Rob Sheriton swung in the flag kick and after the ball wasn’t cleared Seb Spiller pounced to thrash it into the roof of the net.

Westbury went on all out attack, sometimes getting 6 men forward in quick breaks! Stanley chipped the ball in to the danger area where Whyte powered a shot that Marshall blocked bravely, Blakeman produced an excellent piece of skilful play that forced the Keynsham defence to scramble clear and from Young’s resulting corner Stanley had a header blocked on the line!

Spiller broke forward late on and Miles Allen had a chance to secure the points for his side only to mipoop his volley wide. Shaftoe sent the resulting goal kick forward and a foul on the left wing gave United a free kick. Shaftoe went forward to join all his team mates in a last ditch effort and from the cross Kieron Kiff was fouled just inside the box by Jack Mitchell and a penalty awarded ; Shaftoe claimed responsibility for the spot kick and lashed it into the top corner to claim the fully deserved draw!

*STAR MAN – Beau Blakeman (Westbury United)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Gary Tugwell, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Bobby Mitchell,
           Simon Millard, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Jamie Mines, Luke Stanley
SUBS – Kieron Kiff, Tarick Yachou, Jordon Matthews (used) Leo Whitehead (unused)

[Tag]

Go Goalie!!!           

I bet there were a few    afterwards   

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Good Friday 6 April 2012

BRADFORD BEAT WESTBURY FOR 3RD TIME THIS SEASON
Westbury United 0-1 Bradford Town

United played 5th placed Town for the 3rd time this season and again it was the Bradford team who came out victors following this tight derby match. The defeat was Westbury’s 13th single goal loss of the season, outlining how close they have been to having a decent campaign but again failing to convert goalscoring chances proved costly.

The opening period was quite scrappy with both sides wasting possession but also going close to scoring. For the visitors it was Nathan Hallett who went closest with a header being saved by Alex Shaftoe in the 2nd minute and a 20 yarder flying wide while Jake Hiscocks was twice off target from a similar range.

At the other end Charlie Heydon saved Mark Young’s header and Kieron Kiff came closest of all when, after a lovely move between Tarick Yachou and Beau Blakeman, the latter crossed to Kiff who saw a header clip the crossbar. United put together a few more fine moves but with no end product.

Westbury started brightly after half time with Young setting up Luke Stanley who struck the ball over from the edge of the box, but Bradford picked up the pace around the hour mark and scored the only goal of the game while on top.

Paul Beavers, back in the team after a long period in the Reserves and having a fine match in a new defensive role, made a superb tackle on Sam Jordan after Jason Collier’s error and it was Collier who committed a foul that led to the goal on 62 ; Martin Johnson took a free kick wide on the left and Jordan headed powerfully past Shaftoe as the hosts again conceded from a set piece!

United pushed men forward in search of an equaliser without ever creating any clear cup chances, although Young was denied twice in quick succession by good saves from Heydon and Beavers headed over after going forward for a free kick.

Town had a few chances to double their lead but Shaftoe did well to deny Jordan as he threatened to break through and both Hallett and Steve Hulbert were off target with efforts.

*STAR MEN – Paul Beavers (Westbury United) & Sam Jordan (Bradford Town)

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Stephen Fox, Gary Tugwell, Paul Beavers, Jason Collier, Bobby Mitchell,
           Luke Stanley, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Kieron Kiff, Tarick Yachou
SUBS – Jordon Matthews, Andrew Holmes (used) Adam Bishop, Sam Gooding, Leo Whitehead (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Easter Monday 9 April 2012

UNITED END THEIR SEASON IN EXCELLENT STYLE
Devizes Town 1-3 Westbury United

Westbury rounded off their season with a fine victory away to bottom of the table Devizes. It was an excellent all round team performance which was capped off with 3 great goals!

In an even first half both teams struggled to come to terms with a hard pitch and swirling wind. There were chances at both ends ; Luke Stanley with a free kick, Beau Blakeman from 25 yards and Mark Young with a misplaced header all forced home keeper Lewis Porter to make saves while United keeper Alex Shaftoe made a good stop when Paul Gittins got through, Danny Baker fired the rebound over the bar and Luke Enderby sent a skidding effort across the face of goal.

The opening goal was scored by Young on 42 ; Gary Tugwell took a free kick from the halfway line and the ball fell to Young who struck a great finish through a crowded penalty area for his 11th goal of the season.

Town made a flying start to the 2nd half and Shaftoe made a save from Robbie Mitchell after he had burst forward from the kick off. They equalised on 48 ; Baker broke through on the right and his fine shot was parried by Shaftoe into the path of the onrushing Enderby who made no mistake from close range.

Westbury got themselves back in front on 56 with one of the goals of the season! Excellent play on the left wing by Stanley allowed him to play the ball in to Tarick Yachou and he took a touch before volleying spectacularly over Porter and underneath the crossbar from just outside the box!

Devizes’ Robbie Mitchell and his namesake in the United team both tried their luck midway through the half with the home player firing wide from 25 yards and the Westbury midfielder’s effort from the edge of the box bringing a save out of Porter.

Town threatened no more and it was just a matter of whether United would add to their tally ; Young had a goal disallowed for offside before a brilliant team goal made it 1-3 on 78. Passes went from Yachou to Stanley, then in field to Tugwell and on to Mitchell who found Matt Mead running forward on the right and he struck the ball powerfully to Porter’s left and into the net!

Porter had one final save to make when Blakeman ran through in the last minute before shooting fiercely only to be denied again by the home keeper.

*STAR MEN – Lewis Porter (Devizes Town) & Westbury United’s Team for a very good final performance

TEAM – Alex Shaftoe, Adam Bishop, Gary Tugwell, David Whyte, Jason Collier, Bobby Mitchell,
           Kieron Kiff, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Tarick Yachou, Luke Stanley
SUBS – Matt Mead, Jordon Matthews, Kieron Nunn (used) Leo Whitehead, Sam Gooding (unused)