Tag: Oldland Abbotonians

Warminster Town 3 Oldland Abbotonians 1

If there was ever a game that best represented the day it’s played on, then a Toolstation Western League division 1 clash between Warminster Town and Oldland Abbotonians played on the 5th of November may not instantly spring to mind. However, the 155 in attendance were treated to lots of fireworks.

Warminster coming into this game had only lost twice in 11 games, whereas the visitors found themselves in 4th place,  so this was always going to be a tasty clash. Warminster made the perfect start. After just 3 minutes, In-form Corey Gardner took the ball down and shot back across the keeper into the far corner to put the hosts 1-0 up.

In the 9th minute, the game’s first flashpoint arrived when an awful tackle from an Oldland player sparked a massive brawl, which resulted in a yellow card for the Abbots’ number 4 and Warminster skipper Lewis Graham.

The next chance fell, Gardner, and again pressured the keeper into a mistake but couldn’t quite find the finish. The sucker punch arrived on 24 minutes when a lovely free kick was met with a bullet header from David Patterson, who levelled the scores.

Shortly afterwards, the visitors briefly went down to 10 men with a player in the sin bin, and Warminster took advantage. On 40 minutes, a free kick from Spencer Dymond-Hall was headed into his own net by an Oldland defender. That ended a pulsating half of football. But the second half was just as good!

It took until an hour on the clock for the second half to get going, but on 63 minutes, another awful tackle from an Oldland defender resulted in a free kick, which was floated in and the other in-form player in the Warminster team, Max Wyatt, headed past the keeper to add a 3rd.

At 70 minutes, Lewis Graham blasted a shot goal-bound, but it flew well over the bar. There were 3 red cards during the game, and they all came during an ill-tempered final 15 minutes. On 77 minutes, what looked like a punch was aimed at Eben Mortimer Taylor, who reacted and was subsequently dismissed. The Oldland player also saw a red card for the punch. Just 5 minutes later, Oldland we’re reduced to 9 men, the captain picking up two yellows in quick succession for a foul and kicking the ball away.

Overall, an explosive clash ended with Warminster Town claiming 3 points, and to think they were bottom of the table 3 months ago and are now in 10th, with 4 games in hand over Hengrove Athletic, whom they face next weekend, anything is possible!

1. Sam Thomson 2. Corey Harbour Burgess 3. Spencer Dymond-Hall 4. Lewis Graham (C) 5. Jon Bazley 6. Chay Forrester 7. Leigh Rogers 8. Eben Mortimer Taylor 9. Corey Gardner (s) 10. Jakob Seviour (s) 11. Max Wyatt

Subs Used: Seb Hounsell, Logan Cassidy 

Subs not used: Toby Worts, Henry Mcferran, James Vincent

Report by Liam Spurrier

Oldland Abbotonians 0 Warminster Town 2

It was the season’s penultimate game, and Warminster travelled to Oldland Abbotonians looking to strengthen their position within the league table. With a two-nil win and Wincanton drawing their game, Warminster moved up into second place. A good solid performance from Warminster against an able Abbotonians side made for an entertaining game. 

Both sides played well, and there wasn’t too much to separate them in the first period of the half. However, Warminster started to create better chances. The swirling wind added interest, and a very long ball bouncing around the 18-yard was carried dangerously towards Warminster’s goal and required Thomson to be alert and tip the ball over the bar (12min). In the first 25 minutes, Warminster forced a few saves and saw shots go wide. McKay’s opening goal (29th minute) was beautifully volleyed at close range into the net after receiving the ball from Mortimer-Taylor’s well-aimed free-kick.  

In the 38th minute, Mortimer-Taylor was given another free-kick to take from a similar position on Warminster’s right. This time he went direct for goal, and the ball was on target heading for the top corner. Oldland’s keeper pulled off a great save to prevent a doubling of the score-line. 

With a minute of normal time, Thomson, too, had to pull off a good save from a close-range shot at his near post to keep the clean sheet. When the halftime whistle blew, Warminster would be pleased with the effort and work rate and look to capitalise on that in the second half.

The Red & Blacks were the first out of the dressing room after the break and made a change as Gardner carrying an injury, was replaced by Wain, a player coming back from injury. 

The second goal was not long in coming. It came in the 52nd minute when an Oldland backward pass from just inside Warminster’s half was missed by the intended Oldland player, Warminster’s Martin Johnson, back-heeled the ball to Butler, who then ran on unchallenged into the 18-yard box and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper’s outstretched right leg.

Warminster continued to press and did not sit back on their lead but couldn’t get the third goal on this occasion. The 75 fans in attendance enjoyed the match and the spirit in which it was played and Oldland lie currently in 11th place also with one match remaining. Warminster now looks forward to playing 15th placed Gillingham Town at Weymouth Street on Saturday, April 30th. 

Team: Thomson, Graham, Cockerill, Jeffery(c), De Silva, Humphreys, Gardner(s), Mortimer-Taylor, Johnson, Butler, McKay(s)

Subs (used) Wain, Miluk, Morris

(unused) Seviour, McFerran

Warminster Town 2 Oldland Abbotonians 1

This match promised to be a good challenge for Warminster Town. The visitors, Oldland Abbotonians, is a strong side and started the day in 6th place in the league table. The final score on a very damp and somewhat slippery pitch, Warminster Town 2 Oldland Abbotonians 1.

The crowd of 105 watched an entertaining battle between the two sides. From the opening minutes, Warminster looked dangerous and good work down the right by Jack Miluk gave Lewis Graham an early opportunity, but for an Oldland defender blocking his shot. In the 8th minute, the visitors had to clear the ball off the line. Oldland went close ten minutes later when Warminster had to clear the ball off the line. More chances came, created mainly by the home side, and on 23 minutes, a cross from the right-winger, Miluk reached Graham, who went for the spectacular overhead kick. Unfortunately, he didn’t get enough contact on the ball to direct it. 

The opening goal came in the 25th when Warminster’s left-back, Cockerill, ran across the front of goal and slotted the ball home into the bottom right. Watch the goal below.

Oldland came out fighting in the second half, and on 53 minutes, a shot went just over the Warminster crossbar. The home side doubled their lead on 60 minutes with another goal from Cockerill. Initially, his header from a corner was blocked on the line, and several other players were involved in a pinball action. Finally, the ball once again came back to the scorer. Cockerill’s right-footed shot floated nicely under the centre of the crossbar.

See the goal below.

The game now looked to be Warminster’s but credit to Oldland as they kept pushing and saw one shot saved by Thomson and another fly over his goal. Warminster went close again (71′) when Jeffrey’s ball to Graham in the box was headed just wide of the left post. 

The Abbotonians scored on 90 +3 when a scramble in the penalty area saw substitute Nash left-foot the ball into the left of the goal. Suddenly, there was danger, and soon after the restart, Oldland were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. The visitors pushed everyone up, including the goalkeeper. Harry Pruett bent his left-footed shot around the 2-man wall well on its way to the back of the net by the right post. Thomson had other ideas and diving low to his left pushed the ball away. The referee then blew the final whistle. Quite an exciting end for the neutral!

Watch those final minutes below.

Warminster Town next play on December 27th when they travel to local rivals, Devizes Town.

Team: Thomson, Pollock, Cockerill, Jeffrey(s), Lisowski, Churchyard, Miluk, Bartley, Graham, Humphreys, Gardener(s)

Subs (used) Sheppard, Jordan

Subs (unused) McFerran H, Hampson

Oldland Abbotonians 3 Warminster Town 1

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*

Another Away Win!

Warminster Town wishing to continue their run of fine form travelled to the Aitchison Playing Fields the home of Oldland Abbotonians looking for another win to move towards a top-five finish. The players described the playing surface as “awful”, and the match proved to be a scrappy affair with the visitors winning with the only goal scored in the first half.

The home side got off to a flying start and in the first couple of minutes showed that although towards the bottom of the league they were a force to be reckoned with. Warminster soon realised that and worked hard to prevent any further scares. An early shot from 30 yards out by Lewis Graham went just over the bar. The only goal came in the 14th minute when good work from the team down the left saw George Butler get a cross into the box and met superbly by Martin Johnson turning to fire home into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Another excellent opportunity to make it two was missed when Jake Wright skewed his shot just wide of the left-hand post and Charlie Walton fired over the bar. Deep into additional time, Lewis Graham with a wonderful first-time volley from 25 yards hit the crossbar with no one able to capitalise on the rebound. The halftime whistle blew shortly afterwards.

The second half proved to be a scrappy affair with few chances for either side and the visitors finding themselves ruled offside on several occasions which could have led to more excitement! In the 53rd minute, Nathan Ball was called into action and produced a fine save diving low to his right to keep the clean sheet.

Unfortunately, central defender Jordan De Silva had to be substituted due to injury; however, Joel Sissons did an excellent job as his replacement.

The match was one of those without a lot to write home about, but Warminster Town got the job done and move up into 6th place on 56 points not far off third-placed Corsham Town on 63 points. The next match is at home against Bishop Sutton and Warminster will be looking to make it their tenth home win in a row.

Following the game, manager Andy Crabtree had this to say about his team’s performance, “I am obviously delighted to gain 3 points in what was a very difficult game .. we wasted some great chances in the 1st half but the lads dug in and at the end of the day there were only 3 points on offer and we took them. It keeps the run going and Saturday can’t come soon enough for the boys #TheMaltmen.”

There has been a debate about adding a new nickname for the team and with Warminster’s long history as a town connected to the malting industry, ‘The Maltmen’ seems appropriate. Incidentally, the current main sponsor of the club is Warminster Maltings. The Red & Blacks will also remain as a recognisable nickname, and many often use ‘The Town’.

Team: Ball, Baggs, Barnes, Graham, De Silva, Mortimer-Taylor, Miluk, Walton, Johnson, Wright. Subs (*used) Lisowski, Sisson*, Herd, McKay*