TOOLSTATION LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION: Elmore 1 Westbury United 1 (From Wiltshire Times)

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION: Elmore 1 Westbury United 1

9:10am Monday 10th September 2012 in Sport

WESTBURY continued their revival with a good draw at their Tiverton-based hosts.

Elmore started brightly with creative midfielder Brett Worbey a constant threat and it was he who crossed to James Skinner who sent his header over the bar. Worbey then saw his own 20-yard effort deflected wide.

United took full control of the play and it was only due to home keeper Joe Moore that the score remained goalless at half time.

Matt Mead and Beau Blakeman combined to set up Nathan Hallett but his goalbound lob over the advancing Moore was cleared off the line by Daniel Tapp.

Chances were created at will. Mead, Blakeman twice and Dave Percival all saw efforts saved by Moore who then excelled himself even more to deny Paul Beavers when he hit a fierce 35 yarder.

More openings came as the half drew to a close but Beavers was off target with a header when totally unmarked at a set piece. Percival showed good pace and forced Moore to parry his shot and the keeper then denied Hallett at the end of a good run by the left winger.

With half time approaching Elmore broke away and Worbey got on the end of a fast counter-attack but mishit his shot allowing Porter to save comfortably.

The play after half time began in much different fashion as the hosts denied Westbury any chances while only creating a few of their own.

Mike Humphreys curled a 20-yard free kick just past Porter’s right hand post and a few minutes later Porter erred with a poor kick before atoning for the error with a fine save from Worbey’s responding first-time strike.

United came back into the match in the final 25 minutes as the play opened up and both teams went for a goal.

Blakeman fired wide at one end before Matt Harvey had a header saved by Porter.

Then several lovely moves came just after Tarick Yachou replaced Percival.

Yachou combined with Baggs to set up Mead whose skidding strike was well saved by Moore. Yachou then showed good skill before sending a great cross in which went unrewarded as both Mark Young and Hallett got no touch in the six-yard box.

Elmore attacked through Harvey but his work was to no avail as Tom Kelly fired over from 10 yards and a United counter attack ended when Blakeman shot a yard wide. Elmore broke forward again and this time it was Harvey who was off target from close range.

Mead put Westbury ahead on 83 minutes when he cleverly cut in from the right wing and shot a low attempt from the edge of the box that beat Moore and nestled in the corner of the net.

The lead was very shortlived as a corner kick was won at the other end and Worbey’s curling flag kick was tipped over by Porter.

Worbey took the resulting corner and the ball fell to Harvey who headed in to equalise.

The closing minutes were frantic as both teams continued to attack in search of a winner but had to settle for a share of the points.

Westbury: Lewis Porter, Ryan Baggs, David Whyte, Dan Hurkett, Paul Beavers, Bobby Mitchell, Matt Mead, Beau Blakeman, Mark Young, Dave Percival, Nathan Hallett.

Subs: Luke Stanley, Tarick Yachou (used) Adi Chantry (unused).

UNITED'S season continues with two home matches in quick succession in different competitions. Firstly, Wessex League side Romsey Town visit Meadow Lane in the FA Vase second qualifying round on Saturday, September 15 (3pm) before Sherborne Town do likewise in the league on Tuesday, September 18 (7.45pm).

MORE FOOTBALL REPORTS, REACTION & PICTURES IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES