Westbury United 2009-2010

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 20 February 2010

OUTSTANDING UNITED ANNIHALATE CHARD
  Westbury United 8-0 Chard Town

      Westbury United produced the league’s biggest winning margin of the season as they totally outplayed their visitors with some fast attacking football. Dan Kovacs took his tally to 24 goals in all competitions, while Nathan Hallett (2), Matty Smith, Tom Robinson and Wayne Wheeler completed the rout.
      United raced out of the blocks with early chances for Nathan Hallett and Kovacs, before the latter opened the scoring on 17 : Luke Smith played the ball forward to Wheeler who saw a shot well saved by Stuart Parris, however the ball rebounded to Wheeler and he held off his marker before playing it to Kovacs who finished from close range.
      The second goal came just three minutes later : Wheeler laid the ball off to Hallett and his pacy low pass found Matty Smith racing in from the right wing at the back post to notch his fourth goal in the last five games.
      Chard’s best chances of the afternoon came on 27 : Darren Stewart heading against the crossbar and then somehow prodding the rebound over the bar!
      Kovacs twice went close to making it 3-0 before the break, but a real goal rush came after half time! After Matty Smith had made Parris save an 18 yarder, Kovacs  scored the third on 58 : Luke Smith’s direct pass found the top scorer unmarked and he finished cleverly.
      Westbury then went goal crazy with five more goals in just 16 minutes! Matty Smith and Kovacs combined down the right wing with Kovacs crossing low and Hallett running in from the left wing to strike powerfully past Parris. After Sayeed Ibrahim had blasted over the bar he set up the 5th goal on 72  : his long throw in wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to Hallett who scored one of the goals of the season with a spectacular overhead kick from 20 yards!
      The next goal was Kovacs’ hattrick strike when he got on the end of a flowing move by David Whyte and Ibrahim. The final two goals came quickly after : the 80th minute brought Tom Robinson’s first goal for the club when he volleyed in debutant Gary Tugwell’s cross and then, with Chard all over the place, Wheeler ran onto Luke Smith’s pass and finished with a curling effort into the top corner.

STAR MAN – The whole Westbury United team

TEAM – Nick Evans, David Whyte, Luke Smith, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout, Tom Robinson,
 Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Wayne Wheeler, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Mark Pearce, Gary Tugwell, George Wheeler (all used)

[Mike Hawkins]

Well Done to Westbury 

[Andy]

The match at Clevedon Utd was postponed on Wednesday and today's game at Bridport was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

March fixtures (including games against fellow promotion contenders) are...

Sat 6 March, Gillingham Town, Away, 3pm
Sat 13 March, Odd Down, HOME, 3pm
Sat 20 March, Minehead, Away, 3pm
Tues 23 March, Shrewton Utd, HOME, 7.45pm
Sat 27 March, Oldland Abbotonians, Away, 3pm

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 6 March 2010

UNITED GO SECOND AFTER EXCELLENT WIN
Gillingham Town 0-2 Westbury United

      Westbury United completed a league double over Gillingham as the 5th placed side paid the price for Lee Gale twice missing a second half penalty! Matty Smith scored both goals, the second a penalty just ten minutes after Gale’s misses! United captain Dan Dominy led his team excellently as well as defending superbly.
      The first half saw United’s new 4-5-1 formation frustrate their hosts and, when they broke forward, Westbury were denied by strong Town defending. Tackles flew in and the referee had to deal with several flashpoints after challenges by Jon Delahaye and Jason Manley on Nathan Hallett and Dan Kovacs.
      Chances were few, Nick Ridout defended well to deny Ben Thomson a shot while both Delahaye and John Vance were off target with efforts. For United Kovacs flicked the ball wide after a corner and Matty Smith sent a 20 yarder just wide.
      The deadlock was broken just before half time : good work by Luke Smith was rewarded when he played the ball to Matty Smith who turned 20 yards from goal and struck a fine left footer that went in off the post.
      Jason Manley sent a free header over the bar early in the second half and an excellent run by Alex Rigley went unrewarded when Harry Montacute’s volley from Rigley’s cross found the side netting.
      Having come close to equalising, Gillingham were given a great chance to draw level on 71 : again Rigley caused panic in the United defence and his cross was handled by Luke Smith and a penalty awarded. Gale stepped up but saw his spot kick saved by Nick Evans’ legs, however the referee ordered it be retaken due to players encroaching into the area. Having been given another opportunity, Gale inexplicably kicked the ball down the middle again and Evans repeated his leg save then saw Ashley Clarke blaze a rebound over the bar from only a few yards out!
      Ten minutes later Kovacs received the ball in the home sides’ box, showed good strength and skill to turn his marker and saw his effort rebound off the post to Hallett who was fouled by Delahaye and a spot kick was given. Montacute saw red for dissent and Matty Smith powered the kick into the corner of the net to complete a great result for his side.

*STAR MAN – Dan Dominy (Westbury United)
TEAM – Nick Evans, Matt Sharp, Luke Smith, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout, Tom Robinson,
         Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, David Whyte, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Mark Pearce (used) Joe Murray, George Wheeler (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 13 March 2010

LATE LATE GOAL DENIES UNITED A POINT
Westbury United 1-2 Odd Down

      A winning goal for Odd Down in the sixth minute of injury time ensured that they went above Westbury in the race for promotion. Both teams came into the game on 59 points and seemed destined to end it on 60 until Andy Keen’s late late strike.
      United have now lost at home to fellow promotion chasers Wells City, Keynsham Town and Odd Down and this defeat came after a great win at another challenging side in Gillingham Town.
      There were very few chances throughout the afternoon with both defences on top, Nick Ridout and Mark Keen especially in dominant form. Westbury will regret giving away two free kicks that led to the visitor’s goals. The first came on 12 minutes when Mark Keen’s set piece found Gino Necco unmarked and he headed into Nick Evans’ bottom left hand corner.
      Odd Down could have doubled their lead but both Necco and Dave Cooper were wasteful, while United had to wait until nearly half time for an opening when Dan Kovacs had a shot deflected  wide and, from the resulting corner, Sayeed Ibrahim’s 20 yarder went wide.
      Matty Smith equalised six minutes after half time as he ran in to head home Nathan Hallett’s looping cross for his seventh goal in seven games!
      Play remained tight until the closing stages when Westbury stepped up the pace and several fine moves went unrewarded as Cooper’s excellent tackle denied Matty Smith and Liam Bull saved  when Tom Robinson looked set to get a winner.
      With a draw looking likely Odd Down were given a free kick on the right wing and as the ball was played into the box it wasn’t cleared and Andy Keen nipped in to score.

*STAR MEN – Nick Ridout (Westbury United) & Mark Keen (Odd Down)

TEAM – Nick Evans, David Whyte, Luke Smith, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout, Tom Robinson,
           Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Wayne Wheeler, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Mark Pearce, Matt Mead, Rhys Schell (all unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 20 March 2010

FOUR GOAL WESTBURY BACK ON FORM
Minehead Town 1-4 Westbury United

After their narrow defeat a week earlier, Westbury United were back on form with a comfortable victory at bottom of the table Minehead Town. Credit must go to the home side for playing some neat football and scoring the best goal of the game, but United’s clinical touch in front of goal earnt them the points.
On a wet afternoon the pitch was slippery and this made good football difficult with both teams taking time to get used to the conditions. Westbury’s team was much changed from recently with Wayne Wheeler, Matty Smith, Mark Pearce, Tom Robinson and Matt Sharp all unavailable.
After a dull opening half hour the first goal came on 33 minutes : Luke Smith’s corner found Dan Dominy and he bundled the ball over the line from close range. Having finally broken the deadlock, Westbury rapidly made it 0-2 with a fine goal a few minutes later : Nick Ridout’s accurate ball found Nathan Hallett who cut in from the left wing and found Dan Kovacs. United’s leading scorer showed good strength with his back to goal before turning his marker and firing past Alex Sprake.
Minehead then created a few chances of their own with Sam Hutchings having a shot blocked by Dominy, Andy Hall forcing Nick Evans to save a 25 yarder and then Guy Burns bringing an excellent save out of Evans : the resulting corner leading to Ridout having to block a shot from Hall.

When the second half started the home side continued where they had left off : Ben Flatley chipping over Evans only for the ball to land on the roof of the net and Burns crossing into the box to James Dingle whose bullet header was saved excellently by Evans.

Another Luke Smith free kick set up the third goal on 57 when Sprake fumbled the ball to Ridout who couldn’t miss from inside the six yard box!

Town (and in particular the impressive Burns) gave themselves a lifeline on 65 when Burns received the ball 25 yards from goal and showed lovely skill to outwit three defenders and finish classily into the corner of the net.

After switching from the right wing to up front, Matt Mead completed the scoring on 70 when, after taking the ball from George Wheeler, he advanced into the box and struck it powerfully past Sprake. That goal took the spark out of Minehead’s play and it was only the woodwork which denied Kovacs adding to the goal tally.
STAR MEN – Guy Burns (Minehead Town) & Luke Smith (Westbury United)

TEAM – Nick Evans, David Whyte, Luke Smith, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout, Lee Morgan,
          Sayeed Ibrahim, Matt Mead, Dan Kovacs, Rhys Schell, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – George Wheeler, Tom Bull (both used)

NEXT HOME GAME ... Westbury United v Shrewton United on Tuesday 23 March at 7.45pm

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Tuesday 23 March 2010

PEARCE’S EARLY HEADER NETS THREE POINTS
Westbury United 1-0 Shrewton United

      Westbury United picked up a vital victory against their local rivals with Mark Pearce’s early headed goal being backed up by a determined, hardworking performance by the whole squad. Shrewton were always dangerous in attack and Nick Evans played a fine role in ensuring Westbury gained maximum points.
      The visitors should have scored after just three minutes but, after Craig Lewis had set up Ross Bentall, the latter somehow hit the post from close range instead of finding the back of the net!
      Westbury scored just a few minutes later and, as with a number of recent goals, it came from a set piece : Luke Smith’s accurate free kick from the right wing was met by Pearce’s bullet header with the ball finding the top corner of the net.
      Some lovely attacking football was played by both sides on the very wet pitch, but both goalkeepers excelled : Shrewton’s Chris Brewer saved very well from Nathan Hallett and Rhys Schell and, at the other end, Evans denied Jesse Walters then, just on the stroke of half time, he made a terrific point blank stop as Bentall again got into the danger area.
      Westbury started better after half time with Schell creating two openings : the first when his low, skidding cross evaded Dan Kovacs and then lobbing off target after spotting Brewer off his line.
      Lewis was a constant threat to Westbury and just after the hour he saw a low cross find Walters who saw his effort go wide.
      An obscure incident saw Westbury reduced to ten men on 64 when Lee Morgan was sent off, to the bemusement of spectators and players, for an alleged stamping incident which seemingly only the referee witnessed.
      Needing to see out the final quarter of the match with a man less, Westbury did so very well with George Wheeler, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout and Luke Smith defending strongly and the midfield of Matt Mead, Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith and Wayne Wheeler showing good energy. Then, with just a few minutes remaining, Evans produced a great fingertip save to turn Lewis’ strike wide of the target!

*STAR MAN – Nick Evans (Westbury United)

TEAM – Nick Evans, Mark Pearce, Luke Smith, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout, Lee Morgan,
          Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Rhys Schell, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Wayne Wheeler, Matt Mead, George Wheeler (all used)

[Andy]

Link to the current league table : http://football.mitoo.co.uk/LeagueTab.cfm?TblName=Matches&DivisionID=7043&LeagueCode=SDWFL2009

Remaining fixtures

Thurs 25 March, Bridport, away, 7.45pm
Sat 27 March, Oldland Abbotonians, away, 3pm
Good Friday 2 April, Shrewton Utd, away, 3pm
Easter Monday 5 April, Clevedon Utd, HOME, 3pm
Sat 10 April, Bradford Town, HOME, 3pm
Sat 17 April, Chard Town, away, 3pm
Weds 21 April, Clevedon Utd, away, 7.45pm
Sat 24 April, Portishead, HOME, 3pm

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 27 March 2010

HEAVIEST DEFEAT OF SEASON FOR UNITED
Oldland Abbotonians 4-0 Westbury United

      Westbury United suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as Oldland completed a winning double. Having won 3-1 in the return fixture in February, the home side, led by Simon Dew’s hattrick, played United off the park.
      As good as they were all round in the win over Shrewton a few days earlier, Westbury were poor all over the pitch and sloppy defending allowed Paul Bryant to find Dew totally unmarked after 17 minutes and he hit the ball beneath Nick Evans to open the scoring.
      Westbury had a few chances with Ben Lewis saving from Matty Smith and Nick Ridout’s set piece creating an opening for Dan Kovacs which was well defended.
      Evans and Lee Morgan had to defend desperately to deny Matt Huxley and Dew when they both caused danger in the penalty area, then Evans turned Mitch Tippins’ free kick wide of the post a few minutes later.
      The game was as good as over within five minutes of the restart as the Abbots went into a three goal lead. Dew had already hit a 20 yarder just over before, in the next attack, he spotted Evans off his line and lobbed the ball into the net from 30 yards! With United’s defence, badly missing the leadership of the unwell Dan Dominy, all over the place Naby Diallo skilfully worked an opening for Dew and he completed his treble with ease.
      Suddenly United sprang to life and began to create chances : Matty Smith headed over at a corner, Kovacs had a shot deflected wide and Morgan went on a run before striking a 20 yarder that cannoned off Lewis’ left hand post. Lewis then excelled to tip a Mark Pearce header wide of the target.
      Having kept their three goal lead intact, Oldland broke forward on 69 and completed the scoring when Huxley got in and, with just Evans to beat, made no mistake with a fine finish.

TEAM – Nick Evans, David Whyte, Luke Smith, Mark Pearce, Nick Ridout, Lee Morgan,
         Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Rhys Schell, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Matt Sharp, Wayne Wheeler (used) Tom Robinson (unused)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Good Friday 2 April 2010

SLOPPY WESTBURY SLIP TO ANOTHER DEFEAT
Shrewton United 1-0 Westbury United

      Westbury were their own worst enemies as their sloppy defending was finally punished by Dean Foot’s winning goal with fifteen minutes remaining, although they were unlucky to hit the wood work twice. Tom Robinson returned from injury and was Westbury’s best player. The result meant that Shrewton reversed the result from ten days earlier.
      Both sides did well to contend with a muddy pitch and gusty wind, but the hosts were better in attacking situations, as Westbury wasted too many good openings and set pieces.
      Wayne Wheeler curled wide for Westbury early on and Foot went close at the other end. The nearest to a goal in the first half was Nick Ridout who crashed a 20 yard free kick against the crossbar.
      As half time drew nearer Lee Weekes and Wheeler wasted good chances for their respective sides and the score remained goalless.
      The hard work continued after the break and, although chances were few, it was a good game to watch. Weekes hit a 25 yarder wide after good work by Jesse Walters while Robinson’s fierce strike hit Michael Ball in the face.
      Wheeler outpaced Foot but saw his effort well saved by Chris Brewer and, as Westbury’s sloppiness threatened to cost them, Graham Coombes got past Matt Sharp but Nick Evans saved his toe-poked effort.
       The winning goal came on 75 : Westbury’s defence let Foot get into the six yard box and, with Evans making a desperate attempt to save the ball, Foot managed to get a touch over the line.
      Westbury pushed five men forward in search of a much needed equaliser and Robinson came close late on when, after dancing past several defenders, his shot clipped Brewer’s left hand post.

STAR MEN – Dean Foot (Shrewton United) & Tom Robinson (Westbury United)

TEAM – Nick Evans, Matt Sharp, Lee Morgan, Dan Dominy, Nick Ridout,
          Tom Robinson, Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Rhys Schell,
          Wayne Wheeler, Matt Mead
SUBS – Dan Kovacs, Joe Murray, Mark Pearce (all used)

[Andy]

Recent results...

Westbury Utd 2-1 Clevedon Utd
Westbury Utd 1-2 Bradford Town
Clevedon Utd 4-0 Westbury Utd

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 17 April 2010

WESTBURY’S PROMOTION HOPES HANG BY A THREAD
Chard Town 3-2 Westbury United

      United’s fifth defeat in six matches left their chances of promotion hanging by a thread and, to make matters worse, their discipline was very poor in having two men sent off as Chard avenged the 8-0 victory Westbury had achieved a few months ago.
      On a very warm and sunny afternoon, the hosts opened the scoring on 13 minutes when man of the match Jon Hurford’s 25 yard free kick took a deflection off United’s defensive wall and evaded Nick Evans.
      Westbury’s best player was Matty Smith and he had two long range efforts saved by Stuart Parris, before James Boyland doubled Town’s lead on 27 : he got past Nathan Hallett and finished powerfully low to Evans’ right hand side.
      Play became fast and end to end : Parris saved Rhys Schell’s 20 yarder, Boyland set up Joe Simmons who hit the crossbar from close range, Smith hit a fine strike just over and, just a minute later, Schell got a goal back : Wayne Wheeler’s corner was touched Dan Kovacs and Schell stabbed the ball over the line.
      More chances followed with Simmons being denied by a great point blank save by Evans and then Parris doing even better with a double save from Smith and Schell.
      The second half started badly for United when Hurford set up their third goal which was a fine header by Mark Scott on 47.
      A scrappy period of play saw Westbury try hard to get back in the game but strong home defending denied them and, with frustration growing, Hallett’s dissent towards a linesman saw him straight red carded by the referee. Dan Dominy was also booked for his reaction to the decision.
      With ten men United had to go for broke and, after Smith had been narrowly off target, he got a deserved goal when beating Parris to the ball and heading in a Wheeler free kick to make it 3-2. Sensing a point, United left big gaps at the back and both Sam Spurway and Hurford went close to scoring. Then with time running out Dominy made a desperate challenge on Darren Brown and received a second yellow card and therefore a red!

STAR MEN – John Hurford (Chard Town) & Matty Smith (Westbury Utd)
TEAM – Nick Evans, George Wheeler, David Whyte, Dan Dominy, Mark Pearce,
          Rhys Schell, Sayeed Ibrahim, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Wayne Wheeler,
          Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Ashley Groves, Mark Young (both used)

[Andy]

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Saturday 24 April 2010

PEARCE CELEBRATES RETIREMENT WITH WINNING GOAL
Westbury United 2-1 Portishead Town

      Westbury United veteran Mark Pearce celebrated his retirement from First Team football with the winning goal as United finished the season in 5th place. Manager Paul Brickley also announced that he is stepping down from his role.
      What had looked like a promotion push faltered in the final month of the season, but the team ended on a high with this hard fought win on a very warm afternoon.
      The game got off to a fast start and the score was 1-1 by the 7th minute! Westbury scored the opener on 2 minutes when Nathan Hallett’s ball over the top found top scorer Dan Kovacs and he made no mistake with a clever lobbed finish for his 27th goal of the season.
      Town were level soon after when a lovely move between Simon Kelly and Ollie Trevarthen set up Danny Benn who lashed the ball into the top corner!
      Chances went begging at both ends with Hallett, Wayne Wheeler, Kovacs and Matt Smith going close for United, while Kelly brought a fine save out of Nick Evans and Kieran Marsden wasted the rebound!

      United started the second half as the better team and a series of set pieces saw Kovacs, Pearce and Hallett all miss with headers. Pearce was not to be denied, however, as on 58 the ball wasn’t cleared at another Wheeler corner and Pearce hit a low finish from near the penalty spot before being mobbed by his team mates!

      Marsden went very close to equalising when he latched onto a weak Evans punch and, with the ball heading into the goal, Sayeed Ibrahim ran back to head it over the bar! Evans also saved from James Hailwood’s 20 yarder, but Westbury held out to record a much needed victory and they went close to making it 3-1 when Rhys Schell hit a fierce left footer inches wide.

*STAR MAN – Mark Pearce (Westbury United)

TEAM – Nick Evans, Sayeed Ibrahim, Nick Mead, Dan Dominy, Mark Pearce, Ashley Groves,
           David Whyte, Matty Smith, Dan Kovacs, Wayne Wheeler, Nathan Hallett
SUBS – Rhys Schell, Matt Mead, Tom Robinson (all used)

Paul Brickley Resigns

The following is a statement from Paul Brickley...
 The match against Portishead will be my last game as manager. I’d decided at the start of the season that if we didn’t get promoted I would relinquish my position as First Team manager. In my opinion it has been a failure to not get out of this division. I believe that the players and myself have underachieved and have let down the Club and the supporters. I believe now is the time for someone new to come in and take the Club to the next level.
 I would just like to say that I have enjoyed my 6 years at the Club and want to thank all the people who have helped me try and achieve my goal. It’s a sad day for me to be relinquishing my position.

Thank you for all your support and all the best for the future, Bricko.

Mark Pearce
Pearcey has announced his retirement from Western League football after the match against Portishead.
 He has made in excess of 600 appearances for the First Team and for a long time was captain. Most of those appearances have been as a no nonsense central defender, however a number were as centre forward and he has always been a goalscoring threat when inside the opponents penalty area, or indeed 40 yards from goal as Clyst Rovers and Oldland have discovered in the past!

The Club would like to thank Mark for his long term commitment to playing for the First Team as well as assisting with the management of the side.

[rock chick]

hi i was pleased as punch when i had the pleasure of reading the book of westbury utd football club, it was really great reading about how well my dad used to play in his day, i foud the book at the heritage centre and asked if i could borrow it so i could read out snipetts at my dads funeral a couple of weeks ago and bless the lady that donated it she gave the centre permission to let me keep the book so i would have it to pass on through the family

[Andy]

That's lovely Rock Chick, what was your dad's name?

I wonder if he played with anyone who I know from the Club?

(Have we had this conversation before on here? It kinda rings a bell!)

[rock chick]

my dad played between 1952 - 1956 i believe that ernie barber announced his death at the match on the 3rd of april. he and ernie used to play together, have a look at the book at the club it makes for good reading