Warminster Town Push Premier Division Street FC All The Way In The Les Phillips Cup
This was a valiant performance by Warminster Town against high flying Premier Division opponents, Street.
The visitors made a fast start and took an early lead in the 5th minute. Braden Humphreys powerful header from Reece Collyer’s left side corner was deemed to have crossed the line by referee David Middleton to put Warminster one up. As the half wore on the home side started to get on top but Warminster defended superbly to retain their lead. Unfortunately just before half time they conceded an equaliser. In the 43rd minute a corner from the right was only half cleared and the ball fell to Street’s captain Jake Horsey on the edge of the box. The street defender’s half volley through the crowded penalty area gave Town keeper Callum Hotine no chance.
Halftime Street 1 Warminster 1.
Warminster were again quick out of the blocks after the restart and in the 47th minute they should have retaken the lead. A break down the right led to the ball falling to Owen Bartley at the back post, but with the goal at his mercy, he lifted his shot over the bar. In the 68th minute it was Street’s turn to miss a great chance. In far too much space in the centre of six yard box their forward somehow put his shot the wrong side of the post. Then in the 73rd minute the game’s defining moment. A Street break into the right side of the penalty area led to their forward taking a tumble and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped substitute Harry Foster who sent Callum Hotine the wrong way, Street two-one up. The visitors upped their game in search of an equaliser. On 85 minutes they were awarded a free kick outside the right hand side of the box. Corey Gardner’s superb effort, up and over the wall, agonisingly crashed against the crossbar. Then in the second minute of stoppage time frantic defending by Street saw the home side block three Warminster shots in the box. In the sixth minute of added time Warminster won a corner. Keeper Callum Hotine went upfield to add to Warminster’s aerial threat but Street were able to clear the ball. With Callum stranded Street’s broke into Warminster’s half and Josh Radford walked the ball into an empty net. That left just time for the restart.
A creditable performance from Warminster Town against a strong Premier Division side who they pushed all the way to the final whistle. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough and it’s Street who progress to the next round of the cup.
Full time Street FC 3 Warminster Town 1
Report by Geoff Jackson