Our first of what could prove to be a number of challenging games in the coming months as we meet Evesham today against whom we have played well against but lost on both previous encounters

New signings Bowen and Walters join the squad today, the result of a summer spending spree as the managers look to strengthen the squad and “keep us up”.

Subs – Bowen, Walters, Price

Westbury win the toss and elect to start the game playing towards their favoured West stand. Westbury start slowly however and struggle to find their feet in the opening 5 minutes as Evesham set the tone with a series of probing runs, well executed crosses and corners. Howl is getting lots of early exercise in the Westbury goal and clearly has improved over the summer break. Lets hope he has his wits about him today.

Westbury try to press forward with Hood, Russell and Middleton linking up in midfield but the team just do not seem to be able to convert possession into a threatening position.

Evesham cross the ball in high from their right, there is a scramble in the goalmouth and the ball is thumped into the net. Howl had no chance. 1 – 0 to Evesham

Evesham press forward again weaving through the Westbury defence as both McNab and Woodland are outwitted. The attacker dodges past the outstretched hand of the goalie but his final touch et him down and the ball flies wide, a lucky escape.

Middleton picks up the spot kick and dodges his defender, breaking on the left but has no options and is closed down. The ball flies out of play for a throw in. Evesham are quick to the restart and force a corner. Howl makes a fantastic save from a strong header, who was marking him?

Hood, Lister and Middleton combine to force a corner, taken by Hood but Lister just cannot get his head to the ball. The loose ball is picked up by Price and passed out to Russell who sends an unstoppable shot just wide of the post, great chance for Westbury.

Evesham win another corner but it is over hit and the danger passes. McNab takes the throw in to Lister who makes a good pass to Russell but once again he has no options and is closed down. The Westbury fans and coaches sense now that the match is at a pivotal position and the touchline is a pretty animated place. Westbury are hanging on but only just. In the dying minutes Evesham lob another ball into the box and a deflection sees the ball in the back of the net

Two more goals see Evesham in the ascendancy as Westbury fail to mark effectively.

Half time 4 – 0 to Evesham

Walters and Bowen on Russell and Middleton off

From the restart Westbury still have plenty of fight. Technical break – shoelaces undone all over the pitch. Bowen holds off strong challenge from the Evesham midfield, holding the ball till Westbury attackers can get position. Good to see the new players settling in. Walters shows his pace up the middle of the park from a neat pass, just overstretched himself however and was unable to capitalize on his position.

Evesham up their game sensing that Westbury are finding their momentum and launch a missile which almost breaks the cross bar. The rebound is cleared by McNab. Evesham pick up the loose ball and win a corner. The ball is headed into the net before Westbury can blink. Westbury refuse to give up and give themselves hope with a couple of nice moves. If they can just get themselves into a scoring position, we know we have the firepower.

Evesham are dominating now, Westbury are digging deep but the midfielders are finding themselves increasingly taking up a defensive position. Howl pulls off a fantastic save leaping to tip the ball on to the cross bar. Evesham are on the end of the rebound but a miss control sees the ball run wide.

Against the run of play Westbury launch a counterattack but it runs out of steam. The Evesham keeper launches the ball straight into Howls arms, well taken. A bounce could  have seen the ball in the back of the net. Evesham pick up the ball after a loose period of play from Westbury and make Westbury pay.

McNab off Woodland on

Price breaks down the line weaving between the Evesham players but the opportunity is wasted. Hood off Middleton on.

Westbury are starting to look flat footed. The two new players however lift the team. Bowen finds Middleton who tries a one two with Russell but the ball is cut out, too slow.  Westbury heads go down as Evesham fire another ball in to an unmarked Evesham player who finds the back of the net. Another quick goal followed before Westbury were ready. Russell and Middleton combine well in the middle of the field but there is no-one on the end of the cross.

Middleton takes a knock and comes off, McNab on as centre forward. Woodland threads a pass through the middle of the pitch to McNab who is quick onto the end of it forcing Evesham to clear for a throw in. Technical break – more laces undone.

The whistle blows and Westbury breath a sigh of relief. 8 - 0. Could have been a lot more!

Managers Comments

We gave Evesham too much respect and allowed them to play without really challenging. It is important that we work hard when we have the ball but we have to work harder closing down and making tackles when we don’t have the ball. We know Evesham are a good team but we are also, don’t loose belief, you can play football.

On a positive note, McNab put in a great shift with his commitment and disciplined performance, Walters and Bowen showed that when you play without any fear you can compete at this level, well done lads not an easy first game but your desire and energy showed the rest of the team how we should play, keep it going.