Last season, Warminster claimed victory in both encounters without conceding a goal. This match was the first time the two teams met this season. The home side, although having a shaky first 5 minutes soon grew into the game and finished up winning 3 -1.
The opening goal came on 10 minutes when Seb Tylek, Warminster’s new goalkeeper failed to punch the ball and Summerhill lurking near Tylek’s left post, headed home. Just 4 minutes later a mistake at the back by the visitors caused Tylek to rush out of his area towards the onrushing number 10, Vinall who was tripped by the keeper. The referee played advantage as the ball went to a blue shirt who crossed the ball back, and Vinall now back on his feet, headed home into the empty net. The referee did have a word with Tylek but left it at that. Had Oldland not scored that would likely have been a red card for the debutant.
Oldland were dominant in this first half and battled for every ball with Vinall upfront causing problems throughout as he chased everything coming his way. Mortimer-Taylor had to be substituted for Connor McKay.
The second half probably couldn’t come soon enough for the Red & Blacks manager, Andy Crabtree. At the restart, the home side almost scored the third goal in under 20 seconds. A ball over the top found their number 9 who’s low shot towards Tylek’s left post required a good save with his left arm.
The Abbotonians though were relentless in their work rate and a third goal did come on 60 minutes when Mills crossed in from the left, Vinall leapt in front of the keeper at the near post which allowed the ball to travel to the centre of the goal where Summerhill slots home from near the goalmouth.
With 5 minutes of normal time left Oldland had a man sent to the sin-bin. Warminster did keep trying to score the elusive goal and were rewarded with a penalty on 90 minutes, which Jeffery put away to make it 3 – 1. It was another entertaining game to watch and see a home team really battling for every ball and not allowing Warminster a moment to get into a good rhythm.
Warminster next faces second from bottom, Bishop Sutton at Weymouth Street on Saturday, February 15th kickoff 3.00 pm. On Wednesday, February 19th they face the long trip to Tavistock AFC for the quarter-final round of the Les Phillips Cup, kickoff 7.30 pm.
Team: Tylek, McFerran*, Barnes, Jeffery, De Silva, Lisowski, Miluk, Mortimer-Taylor*, Pawley, Vincent, Fletcher,
Subs (used*) McKay*, Ball, Chenery-Bowden*