United We Stand

The Season So Far:

The home side ply their trade in the Trowbridge and District League Division Two (Step 9 of the non league pyramid – a feeder league to the Wiltshire County League) and finished 2nd before Covid-19 spoiled things for everyone. Warminster United find themselves in the Division above, finishing 4th before the same fate befell them. Both teams have this game as their first of the preseason so it is tricky to try and predict what the outcome might be. Warminster won the League’s A&B Cup last April (against Staverton, nonetheless) – their first ever silverware. Not bad for a side formed in 2018. Staverton were a new club for the ill-fated last season. They were on course for a good finish so will be out to prove themselves again this year.

The Visit:

It happened on a drizzly August Saturday; the day football came back…. for me, at least. 5 months since my last match visit – a windy visit to north Bristol to see Roman Glass St George beat Cadbury Heath – this time it was a tad more difficult to find a game that I was permitted to go to, according to Government guidelines. These restrictions – as they are, in reality – state that no spectators are allowed into games involving clubs playing at Step 8 (usually the top county level) or above. So I delved into my most local of leagues: The Trowbridge and District Football League which is one of the feeder leagues for the Wiltshire County League. Being a resident of Trowbridge I am fairly well placed for many of the teams competing in the TDFL. The first game I found that was taking place today was an interesting one: Staverton United v Warminster United. Staverton’s home ground at Bowerhill Sports Pavilion is in a slightly unusual location – slap-bang in the middle of an industrial estate, surrounded by fairly imposing warehouse-type buildings. The Pavilion itself was only opened in 2015 and provides a modern base for teams playing there, as well as an office for the local Parish council.

Due to Covid-19 guidelines both teams had seemingly arrived in their kit and didn’t appear to use the changing rooms at all, rather congregating at the side of the match pitch. The game kicked off in the drizzle and it took all of about 20 seconds for the first clear cut chance – a Warminster striker bursting through the home defence but the goalkeeper was equal to it, saving with his feet. A follow-up shot flew wide. A couple of minutes later and Staverton had their first chance but the away keeper was not unduly troubled. Warminster’s number 7 seemed to be hampered by an injury and was eventually substituted but soon found himself running the line – at this level the assistant referees are supplied by the participating teams. Despite the rain and relatively mild temperatures, the players took a drinks break halfway through the half. Up til then there had been a number of shots but few were on target. The breakthrough came on 37 minutes, and it was worth the wait. The home number 12 striking the ball hard from what must’ve been 35 yards. It flew past the goalie, possibly taking a deflection on the way through. The referee blew for half time with the away side in a promising position which didn’t win himself any friends in the travelling contingent, but they wouldn’t have to wait long to have another go as it was decided 5 minutes was enough of a break with the majority of the players swapping round to ensure a fair share of game time.

Five minutes into the 2nd half and Staverton’s number 17 perhaps should’ve done better when the ball fell invitingly to him. His shot was well wide. Despite this, the lower league team double their lead nine minutes later, their number 14 scuffing the ball under Warminster’s replacement goalkeeper. Just after the hour mark and the away side should’ve pulled one back. Their left back was through against the keeper who got a toe to it and the waiting striker failed to finish at the far post. Shortly after, the away number 8 shot just over when the ball was nicely laid back to him. Finally on 75 minutes the visitors got their goal. A fine run by the number 11 who did well to take it past the brightly-coloured goalkeeper. The winger’s shot was probably going in under its own steam but the back-tracking defender made sure and inadvertently bundled it over the line. Game on. Four minutes later and Staverton should’ve made it 3-1 but their number 10 couldn’t find a way past the keeper. With six minutes remaining the visitors thought they’d levelled things up, but the referee brought play back for an apparent foul in the build up. Seconds later the referee was breaking Warminster hearts again; this time waving away shouts for a penalty. The last chance of the match would also go to the away team. A long throw into the box led to a corner. From the ensuing corner developed a scramble in the 6 yard box. Fortunately for the home side the ball fell favourably to their keeper and he clutched it gratefully on the deck.

So it was a very welcome return to live football for me, perhaps not exactly where I had envisaged the return but the game was an entertaining one, played with excellent levels of enthusiasm. I will doubtless find myself at another game at this level in the not-too-distant future.