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