Team:
Russell, Lister, Hood, Howl, Woodland, McNab, Middleton
Subs: Price
At last we are playing football again, only 8 weeks since the last
game the lads played, and only a handful of training session as well
so the lads understandably will be a little rusty and to top it off
we host strong opposition. Malvern Town Wanderers have only lost one
game and that is to the runaway leader Evesham, they have won every
other game in the league.
We have two squad members away today Olver and Sinclair, so just the
1 sub today, hopefully no injuries. Westbury got the match underway
and Russell was running at the Malvern defence who looked solid.
Malvern turn to attack and put pressure on Woodland and McNab in
defence, but add in some strong defending from Hood and the Malvern
attack broke down. The game is very even, no one can get a foothold
and both teams look a little rusty. Lister is working hard to try to
spring some space down the wing; Middleton is helping out in
midfield and is tackling superbly, really strong and determined
tackles.
Russell got a lovely ball from Hood out wide and ran at the Malvern
defence with trademark twists and turns he tried to chip it over the
keeper, just to high but great play. Again it was Russell who got
on the end of a deflection and on the half volley struck it well but
straight at the keeper, Westbury are trying to get on top. Russell
and Middleton are starting to pick up the sort of interplay they had
been doing in the last few matches and a slipped ball to Middleton
who shot
under pressure but just wide.
So far the solid pairing of Woodland and McNab, not forgetting Howl
in goal, hadn’t really been troubled too much, but when Malvern
attacked they did so with pace and numbers and a strong shot was
well saved by
Howl, but a warning to Westbury.
Howl played the ball to Lister and the team played some great
football from defence, Lister to Russell back to Lister through to
Middleton, and the shot was just over, wonderful passage of play and
passing. In the closing stages of
the first half Malvern stepped up a gear, putting the Westbury
defence under pressure, thankfully McNab was again solid at the back
and Woodland making well timed and important tackles. Lister has
dropped back to help the defence and combining with McNab are
keeping the Malvern attackers at bay. Howl is being worked hard but
is looking very safe in goal. Hood got hold of the ball and spread
the play out wide to Russell to relieve the pressure on the defence,
Russell forced a corner, nothing came of it and the ref blew to end
the half.
Half Time 0 - 0
Just one change Lister off and Price on but this time up front
instead of his usual defensive position. Russell can sense that he
can score if he gets a break and is pushing hard, but the Malvern
defence is closing him down quickly. Malvern are very good on the
counter attack and broke quickly but again it was Woodland who
snuffed it out for a corner. The resulting corner was sent in high
by Malvern it was just too high for Hood to get his head on it and
unfortunately fell straight to an unmarked Malvern player, who
tapped it in the goal, 0 – 1, Malvern pushed again but Howl was
solid and smothered the ball.
Westbury went on the attack in search of an equaliser, and as a
result the game is getting stretched. Price got the ball from Hood
and shot hard with his left foot but the Malvern defender threw
himself in front of the shot to block it. Another break on from
Westbury Middleton to Hood to Price shot just wide again. Malvern
are looking shaky, and are sitting back defending deep. Middleton
off Lister back on, Woodland is now pushing out of defence further
up the field, pushing the Malvern defence back, a ball out to
Russell whose shot is blocked Lister picks it up slips it to Hood, a
little pass to Russell who fires it low into a very crowded box, the
ball takes a slight deflection as it fires into the back of
the net. 1 -1, the pressure paid off.
Both teams are now looking for the winner but full time is nearly
upon us, and just as a Malvern shot is cleared off the line by McNab,
the Ref blows for full time.
Full Time
1 – 1
Very well deserved result, the effort the lads put in was excellent,
and on another day they could have won this game. Lets not forget
that this team could very well be one of the teams that get
promoted, so this result is even more
impressive.
MOTM: Woodland
Solid in defence today and in the second half pushed forward to put
pressure on the opposition, which was a factor in them conceding,
well played.
Managers’ Comments
After a long period of time without any matches and minimal
training, the standard of football on display wasn’t to the normal
standard we have come to expect but the effort and determination you
showed was fantastic, a good all-round gutsy performance and a good
draw which could have easily been a win, well done.
Man of the Match could have easily been awarded to any one
of you today but Woodland displayed the most desire and drive to get
something from the match and is deservedly awarded this accolade.
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