Another new team this week at the start of what we hope will be a long and successful campaign in the cup this year. The weather has cleared and the sun is threatening to break through the clouds.

Substitutes – Lister, Price, Walters

Westbury start the game playing as a team like they really want it. A long throw-in by McNab reaches Russell in the penalty area but he cannot quite connect and Droitwich are forced to clear for another throw-in as Westbury pressure is giving the defence no time to think. The throw-in finds Russell unmarked with an open goal in front of him but the extremely wet grass causes the ball to slip off the edge of his boot and it passes the wrong side of the post, an early sign of Westbury intent.

Droitwich counter attack from the keeper’s long punt but the attacker just cannot connect and the chance is wasted as the man in the gloves mops up the loose ball. Howl is growing in composure with every game. Howl spots Russell and sends a well-weighted ball direct to his feet. A great one two with Middleton sees Russell with a chance at goal. The shot is straight at the keeper. It slips from his grasp and Russell, alert to the error pokes the ball into the back of the net. Goal.

1 – 0 to Westbury

The game continues with some lively football as chances are created at both ends of the pitch. Droitwich cross the ball in, Hood heads clear but only as far as another Droitwich player whose header is on target but easily taken by Howl, safe hands. Another long McNab throw-in clears the defence but lands awkwardly for Middleton who cannot get any power behind the shot and it runs wide. Middleton crosses in to Russell but on his weaker left foot and he cannot do anything with it. Corner, easily taken by the keeper.

Droitwich break from a loose ball and there is real danger in front of the Westbury goal but the attacker is out of luck as the ball escapes his lunge and is mopped up by Howl, very close. The game is still very much up for grabs and the Westbury fans are screaming encouragement to the team. Droitwich win a corner which is cleared by Hood for another corner. The ball is a touch too long for the man at the back of the box to do anything with, another missed opportunity for Droitwich to pull it back.

Middleton off Lister on.

Middleton appears to have sustained an injury in an off the ball incident and receives medical attention at the side of the pitch. Lets hope Lister can calm the team as the last couple of minutes have seen their composure start to slip as Droitwich begin to create chances as they press for the equalizer.

Westbury create another chance in front of goal but fail to convert. McNab, Hood and Woodland are linking up well at the back with Woodland fast to the loose ball and his presence deterring all but the very brave from a tackle. Droitwich win a free kick in a dangerous position and Howl cannot control the well-flighted ball, it spills from his hand but McNab is there to clear the ball from the danger zone. A throw-in to Droitwich, headed out by McNab but only as far as the Droitwich centre forward who hits it wide of the post, unlucky!

Hood strikes from 30 yards and the keeper touches it over the bar. Woodland takes up his customary attacking position for the set piece but he is crowded out. Sinclair sends in a tremendous cross but there is no-one on the end of it. Persistent chasing from Lister in midfield wins another throw in within range for Woodland, he drops it right in the danger zone, the ball skitters out to Hood who is waiting outside the box, he plants it firmly with his left foot into the back of the net, low and hard. Two nil Westbury.

The referee blows for half time.

Half Time – Westbury 2 Droitwich 0

As the team is performing the best they have this season the Management decide to make no subs at half time.

Westbury start the second half in fine form winning a corner. Sinclair sends a perfect ball in but there is no-one there to put it away. Lister picks up the clearance and shrugs off two defenders to send the ball back into the danger area. Quickly on to the ball, Russell and Sinclair combine in the penalty area but cannot create a big enough opening. Lister is creating a lot of space and combines with McNab in a nice one-two from a throw-in to send the ball in for Sinclair who forces an error from the keeper and the loose ball is stroked away by Woodland. Three nil Westbury.

Droitwich break and catch the Westbury defence uncharacteristically flat-footed but Howl has it covered.

Price on for Hood.

Droitwich are very fast on the break and Price is assigned to man mark the Droitwich danger man on the left. Westbury defence continue to press forward for set pieces and throw-ins squeezing Droitwich into their own half of the pitch.

Droitwich however are not giving up and a blistering shot beats Howl only to rebound off the post to then be pushed wide, a lucky escape. Droitwich are on a charge again and a lightning break cuts through the Westbury defence, only the keeper to beat directly in front of goal and Droitwich grab one back.

Sinclair off Middleton on.

Russell off Walters on.

A frantic period of play ensues as both teams show real grit and determination. Both teams have created a fair number of chances and the game is not over. At least one Westbury fan has to be taken away in a wheelchair and the team mascot has lost his bark. Price continues to show his customary calm spotting danger and closing it down. Howl and Woodland set Walters loose but he is denied by the keeper.

Lister off Hood on.

3 minutes to play.  Droitwich are committing themselves forward in numbers now leaving themselves open at the rear and so it is that Westbury find themselves 3 on 1 but cannot find a way past the defender. The final whistle blows. A well deserved win.

Managers’ Comments
A fantastic performance, the football was first class and the effort and desire is what we have been requesting from you all season, now make sure it continues throughout the rest of the season. And remember when you play as a team and work for each other, the game becomes easier and more enjoyable.