Warminster manager Rob Nash made a number of changes from the team that started following the season opening fixture at Avonmouth.
Keeper Jack Amor returned between the sticks replacing outfield stand-in Owen Bartley. Owen moved into midfield with Reece Collyer dropping to the bench. Experienced Tyson Pollard and Corey Gardner were both unavailable this afternoon and were replaced by Charlie Walton, back from his holiday and fit again Jake Wright.
Warminster’s season started disappointingly the previous week when they were denied a deserved point by a late Avonmouth goal. Visitors Cadbury Heath started their campaign with what sounded like an entertaining four-all home draw with Odd Down.
The game started quietly with no early chances at either end of the park. That changed in the 26th minute when Jake Wright broke into the box on the left. The tricky winger beat the full-back only to be brought down in the box and the young referee awarded Warminster a penalty. Up stepped Jordan Pinder to take the spot kick. Cadbury’s keeper Mason Hawkins dived the correct way but he could not save Jordan’s shot, 1-0.
On 35 minutes Cadbury went close to equalising. A right-side corner led to a scramble in the penalty area and Owen Bartley cleared a goal-bound shot off the goal line. At the break just the one goal separated the two teams.
Ten minutes into the second-half Jake Wright again caused problems for the Cadbury defence and for the second time in the game a defender fouled him in the box. The referee awarded a second spot kick and again Jordan Pinder’s shot beat the visiting keeper Hawkins, 2-0.
12 minutes later Warminster struck again. A pass from the right picked out Charlie Walton on the right side of the penalty area. Turning around Charlie played a low cross into the danger area where Jack Newman’s stooping header gave Hawkins no chance, 3-0.
Manager Rob Nash then rang the changes to secure the win. Tyler Gane replaced Jack Duck, Reece Collyer came on for Owen Bartley and George Walker-Haynes made way for Max Walker-Wiltshire. With time running out the hosts almost added a fourth goal when Tyler Gane’s powerful header from a right-side corner was heading for the top corner but Hawkins saved superbly.
A comfortable win and a clean sheet sees Warminster rise up the table to seventh place.
Up next Warminster face another big test on Wednesday evening (13th August), again at Weymouth Street. They take on high flying Devizes Town who have won both of their opening fixtures, scoring eight goals and conceding none.
Report by Geoff Jackson
