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Team: Howl,
Woodland, Price, Lister, Hood, Olver, Sinclair
Subs:
Middleton, McNab, Russell
All the teams in
this league have improved, and this team is no exception, ignore the
9 goals we put past them last time we met, this is going to be a
much tighter affair.
Westbury got
things underway the familiar 2 – 3 – 1 formation was adopted, with
Sinclair the loan striker, who will be expecting good service from
the wide players Lister and Olver. The game is very even, no one can
actually get a grip of the ball, and it is very scrappy in the early
exchanges of the first half. Hood is trying to get the ball, but is
being doubled-up on by a Worcester team who look really up for it.
Worcester broke
down the wing, and they broke in numbers, the cross or shot went
into a very crowded area, and then the ball rolled slowly over the
line. I think every player on both sides missed the ball that
combined with Howl slipping, never mind the game is far from over.
The goal focused
the Westbury team as they started to play football rather than just
chase the ball; Woodland went on a Ferdinand style run out of
defence, straight through the middle, laid off to Sinclair, whose
lovely run down the wing was well watched by Worcester. Lister was
starting to get into the game laid a great ball to Sinclair, who did
well as he slipped round the defender but the keeper was waiting and
pounced on the ball. Woodland again out of defence, but held onto it
too long and was tackled, but Westbury are looking stronger now, and
adding more pressure to Worcester.
Sinclair and
Lister are starting to use the width of the pitch now to great
effect, and forced 3 corners in quick succession. Worcester are
defending deep and using the old tactic of leaving a player up
front, as we have no offside at this level. Woodland and Price are
not being troubled too much at this stage of the game.
A quick change
just before the end of the first half, Russell on for Sinclair,
Middleton on for Olver, Price on for McNab. Russell settled in
straight away into his familiar position on the wing and was off
running at the Worcester defender. A lucky deflection and Russell
was free round 2 players and slotted home 1 – 1, well taken and just
at the right time, as the half is drawing to a close.
Half Time 1 - 1
Westbury started
the second half as they finished the first, pressing hard looking
for the winner, Middleton won a free kick just outside the area,
Hood steps up to take it and fires in a fantastic free kick into the
top corner, nothing the Worcester keeper could do. 2 – 1.
Straight away
from the re-start Westbury pressed, they can tell that Worcester are
nervous, Russell down the wing from a lay off by Hood, cut inside
and was fouled, the supporters gave him an 8.7 for the dramatic
effect. Again Hood stepped up for the free kick, it was almost
exactly the same spot as the previous one. Hood went for the same
corner, this time the keeper just got a finger tip to it and pushed
it over the bar. Worcester have a large squad and they made quite a
few subs, which while confusing for Westbury knowing who they should
be marking, it was also causing confusion for the Worcester side,
who appeared to be at sixes and sevens during the second half.
Lister was
tracking back well to stop Worcester getting back into the game, he
won the ball laid it off to Hood who slipped Middleton in who forced
a corner. Quick change before the corner, Lister off Olver back on.
The game is quite stretched now, Westbury looking to add more goals
and Worcester trying to find an equaliser. McNab was called upon and
as usual excellent at the back and his clearance found Middleton
whose hold up play on the edge of the box was superb. Hood made some
space and shot, but it was straight at the keeper, Worcester sent
the long ball up front again McNab was needed to mop up. As the
half was drawing to a close Middleton off Sinclair back on and Price
off McNab on. Just as Westbury were pushing forward again the ref
blew for full time.
Full Time: 2 - 1
MOTM: Middleton
– Who actually got the MOTM award in the first game against this
team, worked hard today, took a crunching tackle that made the
supporters look away, but got up and wanted to carry on, no goals,
but sometimes you don’t have to score to be effective in the match,
as he won the free kick that lead to the winner, well done.
Well done a
potential banana skin game, Westbury worked hard against a much
improved Worcester Raiders side, but Westbury looked the better
side, and also managed to keep their heads on the game and not be
drawn into any other silliness.
Managers’
Comments
Another great
performance, based on the previous result against Worcester Raiders,
it could have been very easy to think that this game was going to be
a stroll in the park but you listened to the coaches and made sure
that you were focused and didn’t take anything for granted. The most
pleasing thing from today’s game was the football on display, the
passing and movement was back to the usual high standard and the
determination to play football was excellent as well.
Man of the Match
for today was very difficult to choose, several of you had very good
games but it was Middleton who seemed to be in the thick of the
action, always pushing for a goal and on the end of some rash
challenges but after receiving treatment he picked himself up and
continued to put their defence under pressure, well done.
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