Into the Warm

If you were going by kits alone, this could have been AC Milan versus Juventus. But in what Serie A game can you hear every word the players are saying to each other? Every word the managers are barking at their players? Every conversation between referee and player? I knew i’d rather be at Weymouth Street than the San Siro.

My trip to Warminster began, as many will this season, at Trowbridge train station. You won’t be surprised to learn that my train was delayed, but I was still able to grab a meal deal from Morrisons before reaching Weymouth Street in time for kick off. I paid my £2(!!!) and the first thing that struck me about the ground was the sizeable clubhouse which stood next to the stone turnstile/tea room building. In front of the clubhouse, which runs probably half the length of the pitch, are a couple of rows of seating which appear to be the prime spots. Opposite stand the two solid-looking dugouts. Beyond these, you can get brilliant views of the town and surrounding countryside – particularly stunning on a sunny summer’s evening like tonight. Behind one goal (and over towards a corner flag) stands a tiny, covered seating area with probably about 12 plastic seats. The other end is overlooked by houses and in almost impassable.

The match saw two 10th tier teams facing off. The home team plying their trade in the Western League Division One, having finished 6th last season. The visitors were relegated to Wessex League Division One from the Premier Division after finishing bottom but one. And it was the Harlequins who started strongest – flashing a cross-shot agonisingly across the face of the goal. They maintained this early pressure as Warminster struggled to get themselves organised, but it was the home side who tested their opposing ‘keeper first as a shot was fired into a cross of players, taking at least one deflection on its way to the goalkeeper’s grateful arms. The half was just starting to look as though it might end goalless when Heath’s left back was released down the wing, hitting a low cross into the corridor of uncertainty where it was deftly touched into the Warminster goal by a waiting striker. There was time for Bemerton to have another go at goal, but an awkward volley was thumped wide from 20 yards.

The away side didn’t have to wait too long into the 2nd half before doubling their lead. One of their strikers found himself with just the keeper to beat and confidently found the bottom corner. Warminster went straight back down the other end but their forward’s ambitious volley could only find the fence behind the goal. The home team would go on to have several long range shots but none could find the target. In fact I don’t recall the visiting goalkeeper having a real shot to save. Down the other end, Town goalkeeper Ball kept the scores down with a number of decent saves. As the sunlight faded, the game started to wind down as it became more obvious that both teams had only one day’s rest since their last games on Tuesday. It was a good-natured match overall – two players locked horns at one point but the referee decided a talking-to was sufficient punishment.

Bemerton Heath will go away happy with their victory, having looked like a team determined to get promoted back to the league above at the first time of asking. They looked well drilled and well organised. The Warminster team seemed youthful in comparison and certainly grew into the game. Both will be glad to get more minutes under their collective belts. I had a fantastic evening at Weymouth Street, and being just a couple of stops away on the train, I am hopeful of visiting again this season.

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