Team:  Howl, Price, Woodland, Lister, Middleton, Hood, Russell,
Subs:  McNab

Down on players for our trip to Malvern, in the howling rain and gales, Olver and Sinclair both away, so a compact squad that needed to forget about last week’s defeat. Now the weather was shocking and as a result the note pad used to capture the comings and goings on the pitch looks more like a Picasso masterpiece, so the report will be from memory, apologies in advance if things are not quite as accurate, but I will capture the important bits!

With the pre match entertainment involving an umbrella, coffee and a lost end over, we can concentrate on the game, Newtown got things underway, the brave supporters lowered the brollies just enough to catch the action. Straight from the off Middleton was on a charge, taking the direct route through the heart of the Newtown side easily rounded a couple of players and got his shot off, just wide but showed great intent. Newtown who are big side are looking to use it, but Hood in the midfield is sweeping up most balls and attacks and any that slip his grasp are picked up by the familiar defensive duo of Woodland and Price.  What is great to see is that the team want to play the ball on the ground, even in these atrocious conditions, Price and Woodland are feeding the wings and both Russell and Lister are looking to run at the Newtown defence. It was a broken down Newtown attack that Woodland played up the line to Lister, who waited just a split second to
 draw the defender before releasing it quickly to Middleton in space, Middleton still had work to do, and shrugged off the Newtown tackles and buried his shot into the corner, a lovely goal great finish, and the coaches must be pleased that it was a proper footballing move that created the goal.
Again Westbury pressed from the kick off and only some smart defending stopped Middleton again from breaking through, Hood who has been everywhere this half, was again called upon to break down a Newtown attack, his clearing shot was deflected and the quick Newtown striker was after it, but never fear we have Howl in goal, who looked frozen as his mum made him play in the wind and the rain in shorts, but he broke free of the icicles formed on him and like a flash booted the ball to safety, well done, this is how to spot the good keepers, they are always able to keep the concentration levels up.
A high ball from the Newtown keeper was brought down by price who has looked solid again at the back, a smart lay off to fellow defender Woodland who was off into midfield and let rip with a screamer, a little wide but had some serious power behind it, and pressed Newtown back. Woodland off McNab on and called into action but again like all our defence he looks comfortable and laid the ball to Russell who was unchallenged down the line but the cross was not met by anyone in the box, a good move though. With the half coming to a close Newtown pushed again but it had too much on it and it was expertly watched out by Howl, ref blew for the end of the half, the lads can be happy with that performance.

Half Time 0 - 1

Second half got underway, and thankfully the weather had eased, Newtown have a change of tack, with their tall striker staying up front, waiting for any through balls, but with Hood patrolling most balls and feeding the wings, he is not getting any service.

Westbury do look the stronger side and look more likely to add a goal, but with the high position the striker is holding Westbury need to be careful.  A quick Westbury throw in from Lister forced a corner, the resulting corner pinged in by Hood, was deflected towards Middleton, but it was bouncing, still he got a foot on it and fired it at the keeper, who saved it, or so everyone thought, as the team headed back to receive the keepers kick, unfortunately a wet and muddy ball is very slippy and it slipped though the keepers hands, 0 – 2, a shame we feel for the keeper, as the conditions were terrible, even though the weather had eased it was still very muddy, as Middleton had the last touch it was his goal number 2 so far.

Newtown are not able to get into the game at all and this is down to simple , but good football, a lot of the play is in the middle of the park with Hood, Lister and Russell, effectively bossing it and anything loose is picked up by the defence.
A quick swap, Price off Woodland back on, into the solid Westbury defence, paired with McNab, who is having a good game as usual. It was a Woodland ball to Hood a pass out wide to Lister then a through ball to Middleton, who again had work to do, but went round 2 maybe 3 could even of been 4 Newtown players and similar to the first goal slotted it home, again an excellent well taken goal and another hat trick from Middleton. 0 – 3.
Final swap Russell off and Price on, in a more advance role this time, and up against the biggest Newtown player, from the sidelines it looked like another Haye vs Valuev fight, but the supporters know Price too well, and he is running rings round the Newtown player and easily matching his strength, excellent. The ref blew for full time it had gone quick, and a well deserved win for the team. Cup match next week against a team in our league, so fingers crossed.
Full Time: 0 - 3


MOTM: Middleton who must have had 3 Weetabix and a couple of Shredded Wheat this morning, right from the off he was pushing with good runs and great finishing, bagged all 3 goals today, very well deserved, well done, excellent game.

Excellent game from the lads, all thoughts of last weeks loss have been banished and we are back to winning ways. What is the most pleasing, and coaches can take credit for this, is the fact that the team want to play football, they are happy to pass the ball out of trouble, and pass to scoring positions, which is superb at this level, always things to work on in training, but having this already in the locker is a bonus, well done.

Managers Comments
A good all round performance, although a shaky start, you quickly settled down and didn't let the weather affect you. Following on from last weeks first half performance, it was good to see you all tracking back and making the required tackles, your passing was back to the standard we expect as well as your attacking ability but most of all it was your desire to play for each other and play as a team. There were a few negative comments from a couple of you, make sure that you cut this out of your game straight away. Overall a good performance.

A special mention to Price, who is becoming very consistent with his tackling and reading of the game and in particular his ability to turn defence into attack, keep it up, well done.
This weeks Man of the Match was a close call, Hood who captained the team well, could have easily been awarded it for his battling performance, bossing the midfield and his clinical passing but nobody would argue with the award going to Middleton his work rate, close control and desire which looked like it terrified the defenders, and to top it all a well taken hat-trick, well done.