Team: Price,
McNab, Hood, Lister, Howl, Middleton, Sinclair
Subs: Woodland, Russell
Back to the day job of the league this week, against the same team
we played in the cup last week, just the one absentee, the
fortnightly Olver. After the strong and entertaining display last
week, expectations are high amongst the supporters as they make
their way to the seats. It’s a cold one today and it is best to
describe the pitch as muddy and heavy going.
Middleton and Lister got things underway and immediately went on the
attack, Hood got a high ball up to Middleton who got his shot off,
but it drifted wide. Again Westbury on the attack with Sinclair
putting the Swifts defence under pressure and forcing a corner.
Westbury are making all the running, and the Swifts are pinned back
but looking to counter, obviously something they had worked on last
week. It was Hood and Lister back to help out Price and McNab to
thwart the Swifts attack. Price is superb again at the back to clear
the Swifts corner and laid the ball to Middleton who slipped it to
Sinclair, who shot early but scuffed it in the long grass, an
excellent move all started by a great piece of vision from Price.
Again Middleton was pressing down the line this time, keeping the
defenders at bay, a lovely cut inside to create some space and the
shot was deflected wide, excellent passage of play. Hood broke down
a Swifts attack and fired off a shot that was tipped over by the
keeper, good effort. Lister received the ball from Hood, and ran
past the Swifts defender, and was bought down, Westbury free kick.
Hood stepped up and fired it straight at the keeper, but it was too
strong to hold, it dropped to Sinclair who at the second attempt
banged it into the net 1 – 0, the Westbury pressure had paid off.
Almost straight away Westbury pressured the Swifts kick off Sinclair
grabbed it got a cross into the box, it was deflected and Lister was
unmarked and fired it home 2 -0, a great passage of play from the
team.
Swifts are not giving up though all credit to them, McNab again
solid sent a long ball / clearance cross field to Sinclair first
time pass to Middleton, slipped past the keeper 3 – 0, three goals
in 5 minutes, excellent play.
Price who along with McNab haven’t been called upon too much so far
in the match, was alert to the danger and cleared the ball, the
heading practice at training paid off! Swifts had been forced to
have long range efforts and fired another shot, that bounced just in
front of Howl, who up until now had had nothing to do, it slipped by
and dribbled over the line, completely against the run of play, and
nothing to worry about, keep your head up keeper, always tough as it
was bitterly cold.
A quick swap Sinclair off Russell on, Price off Woodland on,
straight away the two newcomers are in the action, a Woodland pass
up the line to Russell a pass to Middleton who is unmarked in the
box, slotted home 4 – 1. Westbury want more, Lister got the ball,
flighted a cross field ball to Russell, who still had work to do
with a couple of defenders round him, he got free, fired his shot,
but the keeper was well placed and saved it well, good move though.
Lister again cut inside on the edge of the box, shot but just wide,
and that was the final play of the half, as the ref blew.
Half Time 4 - 1
Second half is underway, and some lovely passing is on display, Hood
to Lister, cross to Russell, who set off down the line, but was
defended well by MTW Swifts. Woodland again to Russell who got his
shot off, forcing a corner. Lister got the ball under control,
crossed to Russell, who is involved in most things at the moment,
again Swifts are defending hard. Russell gets a 1-2 going with
Middleton, the pass back to Russell goal 5 – 1 and 100% deserved
from the Westbury pressure.
Lister, Russell and Middleton have a great flowing move up the
pitch, leaving the opposition standing, just the final ball had too
much on it.
Westbury are cruising at the moment. A couple of changes Sinclair
back on for Lister and Hood off Price on, immediately Price sets
Russell free, who just over ran it, but the movement was excellent.
McNab fired another long ball clearance, both Middleton and Sinclair
went after it, Westbury had the over lap and an extra player,
unfortunately each other thought the other was getting the ball, in
the end no one did. The lads need to keep the concentration up, as
the latest round of changes has thrown the team a little. Again it
was a Swifts shot from distance this time with height, that slipped
past the outstretched fingertips of Howl 5 – 2. This goal focused
the team, as they got themselves organised and Sinclair ran down the
line and shot just wide, to relieve the pressure Swifts are
mounting.
Westbury are reverting back to how they played in the first half and
playing football, Price out of defence plays it to Russell, the ball
loops up in a tackle and Woodland heads it to Middleton, who fires
first time keeper saves it well. It’s all Westbury now wave after
wave of attack, Russell down the line slips it to Middleton free
again in the middle, the keeper makes himself big, and the shot is
wide.
The Swifts can’t get out of their half as again Westbury pile
forward, they have a 3 against 1 situation on the break, but again
the Swifts keeper is doing a sterling job. Russell has the bit
between his teeth off again down the line slipped to Middleton, back
to Russell, shot saved again. Final swap, Middleton off Lister back
on, McNab off for Hood. The Westbury pressure continued with a
corner, which fell to Lister who got himself some space and hit his
shot, actually a lot closer than we thought to the top corner.
Westbury mounted another attack trying to make all this pressure
count, but the ref blew for full time.
Full Time 5 - 2
MOTM: McNab rock solid in defence today, held some excellent
defensive positions when needed, and got in critical tackles to
break down opposition attacks, thoroughly well deserved, well done
McNab you’re giving the coaches a tough choice for the defensive
positions.
A solid performance and well deserved win today, not quite the high
standard of football the team played last week in the cup against
the same team, but still some excellent passages of play, and
another entertaining game to watch. We could of scored 8 or 9, we
created that many chances, we lost our shape a bit when the subs
came on, and as the confidence grew everyone wanted to be on the
ball, which lead to a drop in focus, but it’s another win our 5th of
the season. It’s the derby game next week, the old foes Droitwich
Spa; we need to be on top of our game for that one.
Managers' Comments
Another good performance, the passing was sublime and keep up the
attacking and shooting and the goals along with the results will
come. Midfielders don't forget that you must track back as well as
go forward.
A special mention to Howl, who on a very cold day had very little to
do, you were unfortunate with the first goal and you could not have
done much with their second but you kept your head and
concentration, well done.
Man of the Match this week was well deserved by McNab, the no
nonsense approach, with good solid tackles, looking for the sensible
pass and making sure that any danger was averted, a solid
performance, well done.
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