Warminster Town 1(1) Bristol Telephones 1(0)
Attendance 95
A morning inspection confirmed the game on but both teams had to contend with a heavy pitch that did cut up badly. It is to both team’s credit that they still played out an entertaining, close encounter. Town fielded an unchanged starting lineup following Wednesday’s important win against fellow strugglers, Keynsham Town.
Town started brightly and in the 6th minute a dangerous cross to the back post was dropped by the Phones’ keeper, Ashton Trott but the ball was then scrambled to safety. Ten minutes later Jack Newman got on the end of a long punt, beat Trott to the ball and poked it into the unguarded net, 1-0 to Warminster. On 24 minutes Martin Johnson broke into the box and chipped the ball to the back post but this time Trott beat Jack Newton to the ball. In the 39th minute Town were awarded a free kick just outside the Phones penalty area. Up stepped Reece Collyer but his well struck free kick flew just over the bar.
On 44 minutes the Phones went close when Issac Flynn broke down the right but cutting inside he sent his shot high and wide. Four minutes later in first half stoppage time they created another chance on the left hand side of the box but Flynn again fired wide.
Four minutes into the second half a great shot from outside the box by Phones Jamie Noble was superbly tipped over the bar by Callum Hotine in the Town goal. Just two minutes later the Phones did equalise. A cross into the danger area was sliced into his own net by Town’s Seb Hounsell, 1-1. On the hour the visitors had a great chance to take the lead but Callum Hotine saved well at Flynn’s feet on the edge of the six yard box, taking a painful blow to a hand in the process. In the 75th minute Martin Johnson had a clear run on the right but his shot was saved by Trott. On 85 minutes a controversial incident led to Corey Gardner flat out holding his face and the Phones Scott Saunders pleading his innocence. A melee followed but after much deliberation the referee took no action. In the 89th minute the Phones Jamie Noble put the ball in the net but his teammate Steff Lee had fouled Callum Hotine in the buildup and a free kick was awarded. No further clear chances were created and at the full time whistle the points were shared after a hard fought draw.
Match Report: Geoff Jackson