Westbury Utd 0-2 Calne Town – Toolstation Division One, Tue. 2nd Sept.

Westbury’s free scoring home form came to an end as Calne just about did enough to claim victory in perfect conditions at Meadow Lane. 

It took a wonderful save from visiting keeper Jamie Bartlett to deny United an equaliser just a few minutes before his team won a penalty to settle the outcome.

The match got off to an end to end start with Westbury’s Matt Mead forcing Bartlett into a save as well as shooting wide. At the other end Glenn Armstrong charged down Charlie Heydon’s clearance and the ball went wide while Tom Boakes’ lovely effort went just past the post.

Play became scrappy towards half time but there were still opportunities; United’s Simon Millard and Grant Gunning combined with the former firing over the bar, Calne’s Aaron Hopkins volleyed Armstrong’s cross into Heydon’s arms and then home midfielder Adam Bishop sent in a great set piece which somehow eluded everybody in the six yard box!

Westbury had a few chances early in the 2nd half, the nearest being when Kevin Shinn prodded the ball wide after a scramble at a corner kick. Meanwhile Town forced a series of corners which were well defended by the hosts.

The opening goal came in fine style on 64; substitute Tom Slater burst into the box from the left and fizzed the ball to the back post where it was met by Darrin Moss with an accurate finish.

Adam Collington changed his team to a more attacking formation with the introduction of DJ Wheeler, and the move almost paid off immediately when Wheeler got on the end of Gary Tugwell’s searching long pass only to see Bartlett pull off a wonderful fingertip save!

Just a few minutes later Westbury were outdone by another burst of pace; this time it was by Hopkins who was fouled by Tugwell and a spot kick was awarded which Armstrong made no mistake with to make it 0-2.

Wheeler and Millard both tried to find a way back into the game for their side but to no avail and Armstrong came within inches of adding another goal deep into injury time.

*STAR MAN – Jamie Bartlett (Calne Town).