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