This match had been promoted on social media to attract 200 to through the gate using the hashtag #makeit200. On a glorious Easter Monday afternoon, 237 attended breaking that two-hundred target to see some exciting football and a one all draw. There was a 7-minute delay to kickoff while one of the nets was attached to the satisfaction of the officials.
The game got off to a bright start with both sides looking for a win but with few real chances created. Warminster’s first real opportunity came in the 30th minute when Charlie Walton, returning from a ban, shot from 25 yards which was easily saved by the Devizes keeper, Adam Walters. Eight minutes later Walton shot again this time more powerfully and going just wide of the post.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Warminster won a free kick on the edge of the box. Eben Mortimer-Taylor and Harry Barnes stood over the ball, Mortimer-Tayor ran over the ball causing the Devizes wall to move slightly, and Barnes with his left foot curled the ball just inside the near post with the keeper making a valiant effort but unable to save the ball.
From the restart, the ball was sent out to the left and picked up by Matthew Russell for Devizes. He took on Ryan Baggs close to the corner who managed to get his head on the ball, but Russell ran onto it, cut back in and fired home with his right foot leaving Nathan Ball no chance of making a save. The halftime whistle blew shortly afterwards with both sides level at one-one and what would prove to be the final score and the third successive draw.
Warminster came out in the second half full of enthusiasm and looking to get back in front and in the first ten minutes of this half had a couple of good chances for Walton and Miluk (later substituted for Jake Wright). In the 62nd minute, Stewart Lisowski fired from a long way out, but his shot went over the bar. Two minutes later Lisowski sent a powerful shot towards Devizes’ goal which was blocked by a brave defender who felt the impact, and the resulting rebound was fired back by Walton which flashed only millimetres over the crossbar.
The second substitution saw Conner McKay replaced by Alex Churchyard and the third was Lisowski swapped for Max Pollock. In the final 15 minutes, the home side had several more chances with Walton, McFerran and with best one right at the end of normal time when Lewis Graham’s left footed shot hit the underside of the crossbar, but sadly no one was able to follow up on the rebound.
In summary, it was a very entertaining game of football watched by the largest crowd of the season and sees Warminster currently in 7th place with just one game remaining. That final game is at Weymouth Street on Saturday, April 27th when the visitors will be Chippenham Park, kickoff 3.00pm.
Team: Ball, Baggs, Barnes, Graham, McFerran, Lisowski, Miluk, Johnson, McKay, Mortimer-Taylor.
Subs (used*): Churchyard*, Wright*, Herd, Pollock*