Team:  Howl, McNab, Woodland, Sinclair, Hood, Russell, Middleton

Subs:  Lister, Price

Our first game of the new season and unexpectedly the team find themselves in Division 1 with our opponents today Droitwich Spa Wolves after a re-organisation of the leagues to accommodate some new teams.

We lose Olver to the sport of rugby for a rumored six-figure offer. Good luck.

Straight from the off Westbury look sharp, passing the ball around and working for each other. Clearly the pre-season training camp has paid dividends. Well done coaches.

Westbury press forward in numbers causing Wolves a lot of problems. Wolves however show that they have a plan, counter attacking fast when play breaks down in their box. Westbury need to watch out for this.

Five minutes in and Westbury win a corner on the far side of the pitch. A perfectly weighted ball from Sinclair is neatly headed in by Woodland. Goal 1 - 0.

From the restart Westbury continue to press Wolves, passing the ball nicely around and putting together some thoughtful and controlled pieces of play. Off the ball the team are working hard to win it back – chasing everything.  Not a great deal to worry about for Howl in goal as Westbury defence are quick to stifle any Wolves attack and the midfielders continue to supply good ball to the forwards.

A screamer from Russell shaves the post. A perfectly placed corner sees Woodland millimeters away from a second headed goal. Plenty of opportunities being created but none finds the back of the net.  Wolves are undaunted, they defend hard and suddenly there is a break. Hood deflects a blistering shot.

Substitute McNab off Price on

A further period of sustained pressure from Westbury sees Middleton shoot into the side netting and Russell denied at the far post by the narrowest of margins from a Sinclair corner. The Wolves goalie saves off the line and launches a massive kick up the field, which is easily controlled by Howl. We can begin to see the Wolves strategy and to their credit they are not giving up and are sticking to the task. Lister and Middleton link up again in a nice one two but Middleton’s shot finds the side netting.

Only a few minutes left till half time (we are now playing 25 minutes each way) and Wolves are starting to find their feet and threaten the Westbury goal. Their goalkeeper has played out of his shirt to keep them in the game and the rest of the team is drawing strength from him. It is end to end stuff with Russell denied from 2 yards by the Wolves goalie and almost immediately Howl is called upon to make a save in the Westbury goal. The whistle blows for half time.

Half Time 1 - 0 to Westbury

Russell off. ( International duty )

Wolves start the second half where they left off – gradually building in confidence and getting back into the game. A Wolves corner kick skitters around in the 5-yard box before a Price clearance calms things down, a nervous moment.

Both teams are into their stride now and there is a great period of play. Lister is denied from 30 yards by the ever vigilant Wolves keeper.  Price and Mc Nab are solid in defence with Sinclair and Lister and Hood linking up well in midfield and continuing to threaten. A cross from Middleton is just too high for Sinclair put his head to. Plenty of good communication between the players. Westbury are still pressing for the second goal but Wolves are not giving up and are giving as good as they get.

Middleton off McNab on.

The Wolves keeper punts the ball up field. It is well taken and a beautiful cross in is sweetly met to push the ball past Howl. Goal 1 - 1.

Ten minutes to play. Westbury are starting to go off the boil and both teams are having to dig deep. A period of robust play sees players on both sides needing the attention of the magic sponge. Wolves confidence continues to grow and Westbury are starting to look a little vulnerable and out of shape. Price breaks on the left and crosses in to Woodland who is denied by the goalie. Immediately Wolves hit back – Howl takes it to hand well.

Middleton on Sinclair off

Wolves pressure pays off with a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. A well placed shot forces Howl to tip it wide – good save. A strong low corner and Price clears from the confusion. This is tight. Another free kick won by Wolves on the edge of the penalty area is quickly taken and runs just wide, a lucky escape. Westbury were caught napping and nearly made to pay. Westbury press forward in the dying minutes with a Lister shot running wide. Wolves respond but the whistle blows for full time.

Final Score 1 - 1

Managers’ Comments

First game of the season and the football we played was very impressive, especially in the first half, the passing and movement is exactly the way we want to play, the only disappointment was that we didn’t score more goals which allowed Wolves to gain in confidence. Remember when we don’t have the ball we have to work harder than when we are in possession of the ball.

Overall, a committed performance with good passing football on display, we were unfortunate not to have got more from the game.

Man of the Match could have been given to several players today, Woodland for his disciplined performance, Price and McNab for their commitment and Sinclair for his tireless running especially in the first half but in the end it was awarded to Middleton who worked hard throughout troubling their defence and easily gave his best performance in a Westbury shirt.