Team : McNab, Price, Woodland, Russell, Sinclair, Lister, Howl, 

Subs : Bowen, Middleton, Hood

Weather is dull cloudy and a bit overcast. This is the first Westbury game to be played at their newly refurbished stadium which lies barely a stones throw from the old ground. The fans have a much improved view of the field of play from the elevated East stand. The assistant grounds man appears to have used three different colors of paint to mark out the field of play. Lets hope none of the players are colour blind.

Westbury lose the toss and Malvern get the game underway. Westbury win an early corner taken by Sinclair but there is no one on the end of it and Malvern break quickly. This is something that Westbury will need to watch out for. Come on defense you need to track back and talk to each other. There are a few tense moments as players watch the ball. Malvern win a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the penalty area. A well struck shot ricochets off the underside of the cross bar, glances the upright and flies into the penalty area before anyone has time to blink. The resulting scuffle sees the ball run off for a corner. The spot kick is quickly taken and there is an attacker on the end of it. He has only to find the back of the net but manages to head the ball out of harms way. A lucky escape and Malvern are certainly showing their intent early on. Malvern passing is just a little more thoughtful at the moment.

Woodland goes on a charge and puts Lister clear but a desperate lunge by the defender puts the ball out for a thrown in. Woodland throws it long to Sinclair who takes it well, turns his man but is overstretched and pushes it wide of the post. McNab takes a long throw in clearing the defensive line. Once again Sinclair is on the end of it but is crowded out, forcing a corner. The ball in is low and rattles around the penalty area like a pinball, “GET A FOOT TO IT !” before Malvern clear off the line. Close, very close.

Westbury are starting to find their feet and create some chances after the initial early pressure from Malvern. Hood replaces Woodland and immediately picks up a loose ball, passes to Lister who fires a pin point accurate pass to Russell streaking into the penalty area. Off the outside of his boot the ball is in the back of the net low and hard.

Goal Westbury. 1-0

Price takes a knock and needs the attention of the magic sponge, “oh we do not like the look of this”. Fortunately he is soon back on his feet. Sinclair sends in another nicely weighted corner, but Hood cannot quite connect and his shot is lost in a sea of feet before Malvern clear but only as far as Russell who from nowhere conjures up a shot which screams into the back of the net. Goal! 2-0. “Get another goal” cry the fans!

Play is a bit scrappy at the moment and Malvern are not giving up. A goal now would see them right back in it.  Lister dodges two defenders and tries to cross in but Malvern have him tagged as a danger man and are quick to cover. Malvern create an opportunity and fire a shot straight at goal. Howl has it covered. A lack of communication in defence gives Malvern a chance in front of goal but the attacker was caught napping and fails to capitalize. Malvern fire another over the bar. Howl had it covered.

Half time. Westbury 2 Malvern 0

Half Time substitutions – Sinclair and Lister off Bowen on Middleton on

Malvern need to get an early goal here if they are to get back into this. They are throwing a lot of men forward. Malvern punt the ball over the heads of the Westbury defence to put their attacker clear. A fifty fifty ball. Howl surges forward, extremely quick off the line and very confident. He is first to the ball and clears well. Howl is called upon again as Malvern win a corner, rising above the crowd to punch the ball clear. “goalies ball” clearly audible above the noise of the crowd. A long clearance out finds Middleton unmarked in the danger zone. He dodges two defenders and pushes the ball away for goal number three. 3-0 The Westbury fans are ecstatic.

It was clear that at two nil Malvern were still in with a chance but there are some mighty sighs of relief now. Ten minutes to play and it looks like we could have our first league win. Malvern break forward from the restart and grab one back with a well taken shot. 3-1.

McNab is still causing Malvern problems at the throw in, the ball sailing over the defence to Russell and Hood.  Bowen is looking very sprightly on the right wing and has a fair turn of pace at his disposal. His passing when in possession is well measured and always finds his man. Good to see one of the new men settling in so well. Lister wants to get back on the field and is pestering the coach. Middleton sweeps round almost 180 degrees and catches the ball a belter on the edge of the box but the goalie has it covered, unlucky.

Both teams are playing some nice football at the moment. Hood is floored by a robust challenge but is right back up again. A long cross in from Hood has everyone beaten but Middleton cannot get to it, ball runs wide. Malvern are immediately on the attack from the dead ball forcing a great save from Howl. Well done goalie.

McNab sends in another long throw forcing Malvern to scramble the ball clear but it only comes as far as Hood who strikes it hard towards the goal. Goal.

4-1. The ball took a nasty deflection off a defender; there was nothing the goalie could do. 

Malvern are a little bit out of shape now and are heavily committed forward. This leaves Middleton free in front of goal from a long clearance from Bowen but his exertions have taken a yard off his pace and the ball bounces out. Listers persistence pays off and he replaces Middleton with 5 minutes to play. Malvern try a long shot in but Howl again has the beating of it. Hood comes off, Sinclair on. Immediately Sinclair is screaming for service on the wing, eager to make his mark. Malvern win a corner. The ball flies in, Howl spills a thumping shot from point blank range and Malvern grab another one, 4-2. The referee blows for time. What a win for Westbury. It is great to see the team all playing well and working hard for each other.

Final score Westbury 4, Malvern 2. 

Man of the Match : Lister – never gave up, never stopped trying. Ran about 8 miles.

Manager’s Comments

Today there was plenty of commitment and a great team performance, at times we allowed MTW too much time on the ball but when we were in possession we were always looking the more likely to score, 4 well taken goals and a well deserved win.

Man of the Match this week could have easily been given to several players today, Russell for his two well taken goals, Howl for his dominating display in goal but one player worked tireless today and showed great footballing skills, well done Lister, you’re today’s man of the match.