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Talbot Paige-Jones Memorial
Shield
Team: Price, Woodland, Hood, Lister, Russell, Howl,
Middleton
Subs: McNab, Olver, Sinclair
It’s back to the cup this week, what you can’t remember the name of
the cup? Don’t worry it’s easy remember, it’s the “Talbot
Paige-Jones Memorial Shield”, or the TPJMS, for those in the know,
see slips off the tongue! Today we host Malvern Town Wanderers
Swifts, who are in our division, but we have not played them yet in
the league, so unknown territory today. A win will continue the cup
run, this is the furthest we have been in the cup, and hopefully
nerves will not play a part!
A full complement of players this week for the coaches to pick from,
will any players be kept back for the league, will the coaches do an
Arsenal and field a team of youngsters? No best bet, play them all
and hope they don’t do a Liverpool!
The trademark 2 – 3 - 1 formation is adopted as Westbury got the
game underway, and straight away Hood sent it wide to Russell, who
was off down the wing, but a strong tackle forced a throw in. Even
in the early stages Westbury are on the up and look like the more
aggressive side. This time on the other wing Lister receiving the
ball from Woodland got round the Swifts player and laid a diagonal
ball to Russell to run onto but it just had too much on it, good
build up play though.
Woodland, who is having another solid stint in defence, sent a long
ball to Russell who with a great touch brought it under control and
got a shot off and forced a save, again another well worked passage
of play from Westbury.
Russell again down the line got the ball across to Middleton in the
box, his shot was just wide, the team are getting closer and the
supporters can feel this game has goals in it. Woodland who is
teamed with Price this week in defence, went on a run into the
oppositions half, with speed and pace, the Swifts defenders backed
off and Woodland was able to fire one of his screamers, but just at
the worst moment he lost he footing and the ball went high over the
bar. It is constant pressure from Westbury; MTW Swifts have hardly
been in our half yet.
Lister and Middleton got a nice 1-2 going only to be swamped by 3
Swift players, movement was excellent though. Another move started
by Price with a great ball to Russell, inside ball to Middleton, out
wide to Hood, and the final ball was charged down for a corner,
breathtaking movement, it really was excellent to watch, all started
with a great ball out of defence from Price. The resulting corner
driven in low and hard by Hood ended up in the net GOAL 1-0, no idea
who had the last touch, so Hood gets it and deserved to from a
strong corner.
The goal stirred the Swifts team into life, who so far in the game
hadn’t troubled Howl in goal, it was their turn to go on the attack,
a long ball was expertly cleared by Howl, who again was on the ball
although he had not had much to do, another Swifts attack through
the middle this time, Woodland, Price and Lister all chasing back to
get a tackle in, but the shot looped over Howl, into the net 1-1,
definitely against the run of play. Lister who was injured while
trying to stop the goal was swapped for Sinclair, who looked raring
to go.
Westbury didn’t let their heads drop and pressed again Russell
forcing another Westbury corner, this time a bit more height on it
and Russell unmarked fired a quick shot off into the net 2-1 the
lead has been restored. Not long after the restart the ref blew his
whistle to draw a close to an entertaining first half.
Half Time 2 - 1
Swap for the second half, Olver on for Middleton, and McNab on for
Woodland, straight away the passing from the team is looking as good
as the first half, with Olver and Hood doing some lovely 1-2’s.
Russell’s pressure forced an early corner, again well taken,
Sinclair is the closest, but his shot is deflected, just wide,
Westbury are piling on the pressure again.
A MTW Swifts shot / pass caught the hand of McNab, free kick to the
Swifts, the lads need to be switched on to defend this one. Olver
is out to block the shot and then out to Price and then to Russell,
who forces another corner, Westbury counter attacked with pace, and
it was excellent to watch, and left the MTW Swifts helpless.
Lister is back on for Russell, straight into the action down the
wing looking for a cross into the box, Westbury are pressing hard
now Olver is off on his jinking runs, and he has options left and
right, a through ball to Sinclair is just shot wide. The team is
really making the Swifts work hard, due to the movement off the ball
and the space created, Hood off Middleton back on.
Sinclair who is getting in some great space, just needs the ball,
and soon a pin point cross from Lister to Sinclair, who just slotted
the ball calmly past the keeper into the net, like he had been doing
it for years! 1 – 3 and Westbury are cruising, Lister and Sinclair
are bossing the play out wide, with some great pass and move 1-2’s,
safe in the Knowledge that the defence of Woodland, who is on for
Price, and McNab are having a stormer and picking up anything loose.
It was Sinclair this time to be the provider for Middleton with a
weighted cross, that was slipped in the goal 4 -1, and completely
deserved. MTW Swifts look deflated and Westbury are full of
confidence, and full of running.
Sinclair on the wing, is having a great game, sent a well timed
through ball into the path of Middleton, who doesn’t miss from that
range 4-1, again another wonderful move that ended in a goal. Even
three goals to the good, Westbury kept on pushing Woodland from
defence was working well with Sinclair and similar to goal number 4
was looking for Middleton, but the ball just had a little too much
on it, and it ran out. Westbury looked to mount another attack, but
ref blew for full time.
Full Time 4 - 1
MOTM: Lister, and excellent today worked hard, no goals but was an
integral part of the team, tracking back when needed, some lovely
runs down the wing, with resulting crosses, typifies the team
spirit, never give up attitude, well done.
An excellent game, especially in the second half, some of the
football was wonderful, most of the supporters would have been happy
to have paid to watch football like that, it was that good. Your
hear the football pundits talk about teams moving up a gear, and
that was on display today, the lads moved up when it was needed.
The whole team was again playing as a unit, tracking back, movement
was superb, and it was this that cut the MTW Swifts apart. Well
done to all the lads, a wonderful footballing display, the coaches
should be rightly proud.
Managers' Comments
A great performance straight from the kick-off, with good passing
and movement, commitment and best of all teamwork. It was pleasing
to see that the what you do in training is starting to be
transferred on to the football pitch, keep it up.
The whole team deserve to be mentioned following the match for the
football that was on display. Man of the Match this week was an easy
one not because nobody else deserved the accolade but one player
stood out and not just for his passing, shooting or tackling but for
his positive attitude and desire to be part of a team, well done
Lister, you have set the standard that we want to see every week.
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