Warminster returned to league action with Odd Down the visitors at Weymouth Street.
Manager Rob Nash made four changes to the starting lineup. James Cheney-Bowden and Seb Hounsell picked up injuries in Town’s midweek win at Sturminster Newton and Toby Worts was suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season last Saturday against Welton Rovers. Jordan Pinder started at centre back, Owen Bartley switched to left back and Max Whittaker dropped back from midfield to right back. Matt Robbins replaced Seb wide right and Charlie Walton took over from Max in midfield.
For a second consecutive Saturday, Town raced into an early lead. Jack Newman gave them a fifth-minute lead with a back post header from a Matt Robbins right side cross, 1-0.
Five minutes later the visitors went close to levelling when Joe Paradise fired just wide in Town’s crowded penalty area. On 23 minutes Corey Gardner’s diving header from a left side cross flew just wide of the upright. Again in the 35th minute Corey went close to breaking his goal drought with a shot from outside box, that was pushed wide of post by Odd Down’s keeper, Matt Green.
In the 38th minute Town were lucky to preserve their lead. A defensive mix-up presented Odd Down with a great chance to equalise but Ryan Benson blocked the shot on the line and the cleared the ball. Back came Town and two minutes before the break Jack Newman set up Charlie Walton but the midfielder’s shot just cleared the crossbar. Despite the end-to-end action Town led by the only goal at half-time.
Just like in the first half, Warminster struck early in the second. Just a minute after the restart a Charlie Walton cross from wide right led to a goal. He picked out Corey Gardner in space in the penalty area and the striker lifted the ball over the Odd Down keeper for a long overdue and well-deserved goal, 2-0.
On 56 minutes Odd Down’s right back Jack Kelsey was picked out in space on the right of Town’s penalty area but he fired into the side netting. Two minutes later the hosts should have extended their lead. Jack Newman was clear, one-on-one with keeper Matt Green but he was thwarted by former Warminster stopper.
On 63 minutes the home faithful were pleased to see former favourite Braden Humphreys, who has returned to the club, come off the bench to replace Matt Robbins. George Walker-Haynes moved to the right wing with Braden going into centre midfield. Then on 72 minutes Tyler replaced George.
In the 81st minute Odd Down were unlucky when Josh Howlett’s header from a cross into the box clipped the crossbar, however, any concerns Town might have had were eased two minutes later. Corey squared the ball to substitute Tyler Gane in space. It looked like he had hesitated too long to get his shot away but he coolly lobbed the ball over Matt Green, 3-0.
With time running out Rob Nash rang the changes sending on Max Walker-Wiltshire and young Sam Allman for Reece Collyer and Charlie Walton. Town saw out the remaining minutes to secure their third win in eight days.
Man of the Match – Corey Gardner
Report: Geoff Jackson
