Wilthsire Dark Horses, Westbury, await Hall's Yellows

Match Preview

Saturday August 15th

Westbury United v Tiverton Town

3PM Kick Off

At Platinum Hyundai Park

While Tiverton were securing a 1-0 derby win against Barnstaple at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium on Tuesday evening, Westbury began their campaign away at league newcomers Portland. It was a profitable encounter in Dorset for the Wiltshire side, as they got off the mark with a 2-1 victory.

Ed Palmer once again shone at home to Barnstaple can he captained his side to a result against shrewd Division One South opperators Westbury?

Asa Hall’s men will definitely not be taking anything for granted versus a team that finished in 10th place, last season. Despite two positive displays in their opening games, the yellows will need to maintain the standards they have set, if they are to continue in a similar vein.The good thing for the side is that, there is a belief that there is room for this team to grow and that they can still play better.

The unfortunate injury to Jagger Cane(collar bone) will keep the forward sidelined for quite a while and everyone will be hoping for a smooth recovery. However, there doesn't appear to be any other serious injury concerns for Tiverton.

Encouragingly, fellow attacker Aidan Horne although not deemed fit enough to start in the Barnstaple game, did play some part in the second half and physio Ellie Jones will be hoping to have him available and in contention for the matchday eleven on Saturday.

This will be Westbury 's Fifth campaign in this division. They are managed by former player Ricky Hulbert and Lewis Potter. Hulbert's younger brother Steve is a key component of the affectionately known White Horse Mens’ back-line. Along with Ryan Bole and Adam Cockerill, the back- four has had continuity in recent seasons.

All three have been at the Wiltshire club since they were promoted into the Southern League Division 1 South. In that settled defensive unit, ex Bath City youngster Bole has made nearly 170 appearances, Cockerill 150+ and Steve Hulbert is not far off of the 150 appearance mark himself.

There are a few familiar faces in the White Horse Men' s squad. Goalkeeper Joel Manning did a pre-season with us in the 2024/25 season and the 6ft 6 inch stopper has since gone on to perform well at Melksham, before making the Westbury number one jersey his own.

New signing, Striker Leighton Thomas had two spells with the Yellows'. One was on loan from Hungerford and the other under Leigh Robinson and Ben Gerring. Although neither were particularly long, multi talented front man Thomas who was with Shaftesbury last term and has also played for Dorchester, Yate and Bemerton Heath Harlequins, once scored 31 goals for Paulton Rovers in this division. 

Player- Manager Asa Hall will be reunited with former Bath City Midfielder Jake Andrews, who he played alongside at Torquay. Technical midfielder Andrews made 119 appearances for the national league Gulls. Andrew's spent three years on pro-terms with Bristol City as a young pro.

During that time, he enjoyed multiple loan spells. 

This included one with Cheltenham, where made 7 EFL appearances and others at Chippenham  and an initial loan spell with Torquay. The creative 28 year old midfielder has also worn the colours of; Havant & Waterlooville, Poole, Swindon Supermarine and Melksham. He joined the club in pre-season.

Left sided midfielder Josh Bertie is another exciting arrival. A British Virgin Islands International, who has Dorchester, Winchester and Bashley on his CV. Tenacious, central midfielder Eben Mortimore Taylor  is proven at this level with Larkhall.

Bevan Cross’s footballing abilities saw him play for Step 3 Yate, 8 times in the previous season. The ex Manor Farm man then re-signed for Westbury, where the midfield man had already established himself as a very popular player.

There is another pair of brothers in the host’s dressing room. Defender Aaron Witchell, having played two seasons at Melksham, before arriving at Platinum Hyundai Park in the 2024/25 season, is experienced and dependable in this standard of football and his brother Ethan is a talented young midfield prospect who made two first team appearances for Chippenham, in the recent past.

The important thing for Tiverton to remember, is that the team they will face at the weekend, know this league very well and what it takes to get results. This will be a testing visit and Asa Halls’ men will have to keep pushing their level’s forward, if they are to keep their momentum going.