15th January 2011 Substitutes: Bowen, Middleton First match for the team after an extended winter break. The coaches have chosen not to splash the cash in the closed season sticking with the tried and tested squad despite an unexpected 3 million received for Russell. Woodland is resting for this game after a mystery winter sports incident! It is windy again and the pitch is showing the tell tale signs of a cold wet winter. Droitwich are playing with the wind in the first half. Both teams start tentatively and it takes a while for the game to develop. Lister is showing his usual dogged determination in midfield as McNab and Price sweep up from the rear. Droitwich however are very fast on the break and Westbury are forced into a rash challenge to prevent a one on one with the goalie. Free kick. The spot kick is parried by Howl, who looks very sharp today but the ball spills to a Droitwich player who is given too much time and he slots it away. Droitwich 1 Westbury 0 Walters is showing early form breaking on the right and winning a throw in. McNab is kept busy on both flanks. Droitwich push it out for another throw in. Sinclair controls the throw and sends a perfectly weighted cross to Walters but he is wrong footed and the opportunity is lost. Encouraging signs though. Another Westbury throw finds Lister in some space but he is too ambitious and the attack breaks down. A long-range effort from Droitwich but the main man in yellow had it covered. Hood breaks through the middle but there is no support, he has no options, there needs to be more movement off the ball. Droitwich pile on the pressure and Howl has to pull out all the stops to keep the ball out of the back of the net. Westbury just a little bit out of shape at the back. Westbury are under the cosh at the moment with everyone behind the ball trying to hold on till half time. The Westbury goalmouth is like a war zone Half time – Droitwich 1 – Westbury 0 Substitutions Walters, Sinclair Off Bowen Middleton On The second half begins where the first half finished with Westbury on the receiving end of massive pressure and unable to break out of their own half. Westbury seem to have lost a bit of their composure and self-belief. A pity since the first half was tremendously encouraging. Droitwich win a corner. Price stamps his authority on the situation and clears but catches a boot where it hurts and slumps to the ground. Play stops till he can be revived. The goal is being peppered with shots from all sides. Howl is earning his stripes and McNab is called to clear off the line. The Droitwich appeal is denied. Close Westbury show occasional flashes as Lister and Bowen work tirelessly to create chances for Middleton but they are not getting the rub of the green. Come on boys keep it together. Bowen, ever sprightly darts past his man and wins a corner. Can we bring this back? The cross is well weighted but it is not our day and neither Hood not Middleton can finish it. Droitwich are quickly on the offensive and a great individual effort from the Droitwich number 11 adds to their tally. Droitwich 2 Westbury 0 McNab is floored trying to track back and needs some attention on the sidelines Sinclair is brought on to bolster the attack but it is to no avail as Droitwich grab another. Droitwich 3 Westbury 0 Hood has aggravated a long-term injury and has to be replaced by Walters. A really tough game. Westbury passing lacks a bit of sharpness and precision and they are punished once more as Droitwich make it 4. Added time seems like an age before finally the whistle blows and the game is up. Final score Droitwich Spa Predators 4 Westbury Celtic 0 Man of the Match: Lister Managers’ Comments This game seemed to be lost before the first whistle blew, not sure why, we played this team earlier in the season, out played them and won the game 3-1, today was a different matter, although we did battle hard, we allowed the opposition to have too much possession. Let’s not show them too much respect when we play them again later this season. Today’s Man of the match could have been given to Howl for his commitment, Price for his outstanding determination, Sinclair for his performance but one player deserves to be singled out for his overall commitment and performance – well done Lister.