A goal apiece from Max Wyatt and Corey Gardner, either side of the break, ensured Warminster returned to winning ways with a thoroughly deserved victory.

The majority of the 50 or so crowd at the Field were the travelling Warminster faithful, who were treated to a strong defensive display resulting in a 2-0 victory and a clean sheet.

Indeed it could’ve, and possibly should’ve, been more. Warminster also missed a penalty and hit the post! In truth Almondsbury never really looked like scoring. Warminster started on the front foot, and after many shots on the Almondsbury goal, the inevitable happened. Lewis Graham struck a shot towards goal, and bounced off of Leigh Rogers, the keeper made a terrific save, but the rebound fell for the in-form Wyatt, who had the simple task of heading the ball into the net, making it 1-0.

Warminster kept up the pressure. More shots on the Almondsbury goal and high pressure resulted in the keeper being busy, and eventually, the pressure told. On 35 minutes Seb Hounsell was bundled to the ground, and a penalty was given. Up stepped the captain, Lewis Graham but saw his penalty saved. The rebound fell back to Graham but was denied by an outstanding point-blank save.

The second half started with Max Wyatt smashing a shot off the post, and with all these chances going begging, could Almondsbury find a way back? That question was finally answered in the 75th minute when Corey Gardner was played through and 1 on 1 with the keeper, slotted hime to double the lead. Some late changes were made, with Toby Worts, Braden Humphreys, Henry Mcferran, Logan Cassidy and Emilio Mudrak coming on for Jakob Seviour, Seb Hounsell, Max Wyatt, Corey Gardner and Chay Forrester.

2-0 was a solid result on the road but should’ve been many more.

Sam Thomson, Corey Harbour-Burgess, Lewis Graham (C), Jon Bazley, Spencer Dymond-Hall, Chay Forrester (85”) Corey Gardner (85”) Leigh Rogers, Seb Hounsell (88”), Jakob Seviour (79”), Max Wyatt (92”)

Henry Mcferran(92”) Braden Humphreys (88”), Toby Worts (79”) Emilio Mudrak (85”) Logan Cassidy (85”)

Match Report: The Weymouth Street Massive

On Saturday 20th August, Warminster Town welcomed Almondsbury FC to Weymouth street. With Almondsbury similarly struggling for form in the league with only four points and one win and Warminster getting their first point of the season midweek to Cheddar, there was an element of optimism around the ground. However, it would only take 13 minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock, with Joe White’s effort from outside the box being parried by Thommo, in goal, only for it to be turned in by Almondsbury’s number 11, Burman. It didn’t take Almondsbury long to find a second, with Joe White grabbing the goal with a cool finish into the right of the net. Things only got worse for the Red and Blacks as a corner in the 41st minute was turned into the net by Almondsbury defender Hedges with a thumping strike, 3-0. There would be a glimmer of hope before half-time with Warminster winning a penalty, only to be cruelly denied by a spectacular Langdon save, keeping the three-goal lead going into the second half.  

The second half started with a positive response from Warminster, a few subs bringing much-needed intensity to the game. Two minutes after the restart, Warminster were rewarded; Jamal Chevelleau raced through on goal, calmly slotting it past the keeper to the delight of the Warminster fans! In a similar fashion, only three minutes later, Jamal Chevelleau grabbed his brace on his debut, all in some style. With a spring in their step, the Warminster eleven fought bravely, pushing for an equaliser. With both sides having chances, it seemed only natural that another goal was coming. With Warminster pressing, Almondsbury continued to defend stoically. Warminster were, sadly, punished in the 80th minute when Almondsbury’s Cox would put an enticing ball across the box for Burman to grab his second of the game, with very little goalkeeper Thomson could do to stop the ball from ending up in the net. 4-2. Despite a chance in the 86th minute, Warminster couldn’t find the goal they desperately needed, with Almondsbury claiming their second win of the season. A six-goal thriller at Weymouth Street, with signs of improvement in front of goal.

Team: Thomson, Bartley, Dymond-Hall, Chandler*, De-Silva*, Mudrak, Seviour, Mortimer-Taylor, Graham, Vincent, Bazley*

Subs: (used) Cassidy, Chevelleau, Wyatt

(unused) Sinclair, Humphries

Match report by Ben Cooke

Having lost 5-2 at Almondsbury FC in The Les Phillips Cup less than two weeks ago, Warminster Town needed to be better to win this match. Warminster took the game to the home side from the kickoff and, unlike the previous encounter, prevented them from making much progress down the flanks. 

The back four worked in harmony and swept up the balls that did get through. Midfield saw Mortimer-Taylor and Bartley work hard with Seviour to hustle the Almondsbury players into making mistakes. The whole team mirrored this tenacity; when not in possession, they exerted their presence on any player in a green shirt who had the ball. This paid off with a 3-0 win to the Red & Blacks. 

The opening goal came in the first half in the 27th minute, courtesy of Seth Wain. Using his left foot, Wain drove the ball from around the 18-yard line thanks to the cross from Vincent on the left, and it volleyed into the right of Almondsbury’s goal.

Warminster looked comfortable in possession throughout the first half and always looked to regain the ball when they weren’t. There were few opportunities for Almondsbury to even look dangerous due to the work rate and skill shown in winning back the ball. 

In the second half, Warminster began to create more chances. Wain was fouled (57’) outside the area, Cockerill struck the free-kick on target, but the keeper saved it. Seconds later, Cockerill again had one cleared off the line, which Mortimer-Taylor followed up and had his shot blocked in the box. This was good football from Warminster Town, and the home side was finding it difficult to deal with.

The second goal came from a corner kick in the 63rd minute. Mortimer-Taylor’s in-swinger from Warminster’s left was met by Cockerill, who headed across the goal and into the back of the net. 

The final goal made it a brace for Seth Wain. Warminster’s goalkeeper, Sam Thomson, found Wain well inside Almondsbury’s half. The ball bounced, and Wain collected on the 18-yard line, chipped the keeper but hit the left post. The ball rebounded, and Wain tucked it home at the second attempt with 10 minutes left on the clock.

In summary, a good performance by Warminster and a vital 3 points to keep them in the race for one of the top positions in the league table. It was also good to see the return of Henry McFerran, who has had a long time out due to injury, and he came off the bench for the final minutes. 

Team: Thomson, Humphreys(s), Cockerill, Jeffery, Graham, Bartley, Vincent(s), Mortimer-Taylor, Johnson, Wain, Seviour(s)

Subs: (used) Butler, McFerran, Gardner

(unused) De Silva, Lisowski

On Tuesday, March 15th Warminster made the trip to Almondsbury FC for the second round of the Les Phillips Cup. Playing alongside the busy M5 junction, the cup run came to a premature end, with the home side winning 5-2.

Warminster went ahead in the 23rd minute with a goal from Martin Johnson. A long ball from Pinder, inside Warminster’s half, was run onto by Johnson and slotted home past the onrushing keeper. 

The lead was cut in the 35th minute when Almondsbury’s Andy Williams received a ball on their right. and he cut into the edge of the area and struck the ball well. His thunderous shot hit the far post and ricocheted into the net. Warminster must have been disappointed to give him the room to score. It was only two more minutes before The Almonds took the lead; Isaac Flynn collected the ball on the edge of the area, fought off the challenge of defender Graham, and shot low into the right of Thomson’s goal.

Warminster did have chances in the half but, combined with some good defending and goal-keeping, couldn’t increase their tally. However, a blow was struck in the 42nd minute. A cross from the left found Sebastian Scott close to the penalty spot, and he left-footed it high into the left corner of the goal.

Hopes of a recovery were dashed 8 mins after the halftime break. Williams made it a brace. Under pressure from De Silva in the penalty area, Williams slipped but still managed to lift the ball with his right foot over Thomson at his feet. At 4-1, this would be a long second half for the Warminster travelling fans who made up most of the attendees. 

Johnson got his brace in the 57th minute, picking up the ball from Cockerell’s pass well inside the penalty area and, despite a desperate challenge, struck home to make it 4-2. The final goal was a penalty taken by Greg Parr one minute into additional time (91’), and he struck the ball well into the left of Thomson’s goal, who dived the right way but couldn’t reach the ball.

A disappointing result for the Red & Blacks, who, as the saying goes, ‘can now concentrate on the league.

Team: Thomson, Pollock, Cockerill, Graham, De Silva(s), Pinder, Gardner, Mortimer-Taylor, Johnson, Seviour(s), McKay(s).

Subs (used) Butler, Bartley, Humphreys
(unused) Wain