Injury-hit Westbury crushed in cup

5:46pm Saturday 30th August 2008

A SECOND half collapse by depleted Westbury United saw them dumped out of the FA Cup at the preliminary round stage by Fairford Town.

The White Horse Men conceded five second half goals to lose 6-0 on Saturday as their defensive problems continued.

A hat-trick from Alex Rudd, a brace from Pete Walker and a further goal from Matt Boucher ensured Westbury's miserable start to the season continued.

Wayne Wheeler and Nathan Hallett were not fit to make the squad and a barely fit Nick Ridout was on the bench.

Lee Morgan started despite knee troubles and Westbury's injury problems even extended to boss Paul Brickley, who had a slipped a disc in his back.

Fairford started brightly and Ben Snook went close after five minutes when his free kick was parried for a corner by Nick Evans.

Debutant midfielder Jamie Oliver limped off after 15 minutes with Ridout coming on in his place, as Westbury's injury troubles showed no sign of abating.

Within minutes Ridout forced former Devizes Town stopper Roman Roncinsky into an instinctive save from his close range effort.

But Westbury barely threatened in the latter part of the first period, and their half was summed up when Pete Ayton passed an attacking free kick straight over the dead-ball line with not a team mate in sight.

Fairford gave the game the goal it desperately needed on 41 minutes when Rudd rose to head powerfully past Evans at the near post.

The visitors increased their lead after the break when a short corner allowed Boucher to cross unchallenged and Walker nodded in at the far post.

Ridout limped off through injury shortly after as matters went from bad to worse for the home side.

The game was over as a contest on 66 minutes when Evans dropped a regulation take and Rudd tapped home to make it 3-0.

Three goals in four minutes finished off Westbury late on as they tired in the heat of the afternoon.

On 77 minutes a poor kick by Evans allowed Rudd to complete his hat-trick and soon after Walker slotted home his second.

With 81 minutes played Boucher stroked past Evans to put the polish on Fairford's victory, as Westbury conceded their 19th goal in seven games.

Matty's Bown's chip dropped onto the roof of the net in injury time, but it proved Westbury's only effort of note in a disastrous second period.