It turned out to be an exciting game of football at Bitton AFC. Warminster made the relatively short journey for a 4th Round tie in the FA Vase to the Western Premier League opponents. Having already beaten higher league opposition in this cup, could Warminster once again be victorious? The victory though went to the home side 3 – 1.

The visitors proved to be a real handful for the home side, and much of the match were in control and took the lead in the 22nd minute after Jack Miluk was brought down in the penalty area. Ian Jeffery, Warminster’s left-back stepped up to take the penalty, smashing the ball home into the bottom left corner, evading the diving keeper.

Warminster’s leading goal scorer James Vincent had to be substituted by Martin Johnson after pulling up with what appears to be a groin injury. All over the pitch, the visitors were in control. Every player was winning their battles and causing the home side to struggle against the intensity of play.

Bitton was limited to few chances in the first half, and perhaps their frustration was showing towards the end of the first 45 minutes when a tackle on Jeffery could well have been worthy of a red card, but the referee didn’t see it that way.

The second half also proved to be highly entertaining. Nathan Ball had to make a good save in the 50th minute to keep the lead. On 62 minutes a free kick by Jeffery forced a near-post save. The cleared ball was then sent back into the box, a real goalmouth scramble was created, but the ball would not go into the back of the net!

Bitton made all three substitutions, which were to play a significant part in what happened next. The visitors came unstuck when on 72 minutes McClennan ran along the edge of the box and fired a left-foot shot to score an excellent goal. The home side went on to double their tally in the 83rd minute with a low strike from Josh Egan.

In a final attempt to push for a goal and deep in stoppage time, Bitton made it 3 with a one on one with the keeper, Kyte slipped the ball into the net.

A valiant effort by Warminster and the scoreline does not do justice to the performance and effort shown. Bitton now goes through to the final 16 in this cup competition.

Team: Ball, Baggs, Jeffery, Graham, De Silva, Churchyard*, Miluk, Mortimer-Taylor, Allen*, Vincent*, Pawley

Subs (used) Johnson*, Lisowski*, Barnes*, McFerran, McKay, Fletcher