Westbury United 0, Almondsbury 0

From the archive, first published Friday 28th Oct 2005.

PAUL Brickley has called on his Westbury side to be more clinical in front of goal after watching them pick up their fourth draw of the season on Tuesday night.

The Westbury boss is getting increasingly frustrated at his side's inability to turn their domination into wins and admits it is becoming a concern.

But with only one defeat from their first Toolstation League Division One campaign things could be far worse for Brickley.

Westbury are in the lower reaches of the table, just three points off bottom spot, but with as many as four games in hand, he knows a few wins would quickly see them climb the table.

He said: "Again I thought we were worthy of the three points. We created all the chances but could just not put the ball in the net.

"In the first half we forced about 11 corners in succession but could not find a way through. They were a typical Bristol side, hard working and very physical and I think it took us 30 minutes to get used to that.

"We have still only lost one match which we have to be pleased about but we do need to start picking up a few more wins."

The match got off to a pacy start but both sides wasted attacking openings. The first chance fell to Almondsbury. Influential midfielder Dan Cockram took advantage of a defensive error only to be denied when home keeper Nick Evans parried his shot before claiming the ball.

As Westbury attacked Tom Knight blocked Matty Bown as he was about to shoot and, from Nick Evans' kick, a flick-on by Wayne Wheeler fell to Bown who hit a half volley just wide. The Almonds then had to defend desperately to clear two corners.

Westbury's luck came to the fore on 32 minutes. Cockram received the ball 30 yards from goal, turned and chipped the ball goalwards. It clipped the underside of the bar and dropped down, over the line according to many people with a good view, only for the linesman to rule that it hadn't crossed the line.

Scott Kendall in the visitor's goal made his best save of the match soon after. Wheeler's pace took him into the box where he unleashed a fierce drive that Kendall stopped superbly. Just before half time Bown went close again with a 20- yard curling free kick.

Westbury dominated territorially in the second half and forced a series of seven corners in five minutes. Several of these had to be scrambled clear, while substitute James Dowd and Mark Pearce saw headers cleared off the line. A glorious opening was created by Paul Beaver's skill which Wheeler wasted by pulling his effort horribly across goal.

l Westbury entertain Saltash tomorrow. Brickley said: "We are defending well but need to show more composure in front of goal.

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