Warminster, sitting in tenth place, went into the game on a run of four league games unbeaten, while seventh placed Almondsbury had won all of their last five league games.
Rob Nash made just two changes from the side that started their midweek cup defeat at Premier Division Paulton Rovers; Jordan Pinder replaced Henry McFerran and Reece Collyer returned in place of Tyler Gane.
Not for the first time this season Warminster started slowly. As early as the fourth minute Almondsbury’s centre forward Paolo Pali caused problems beating two Town defenders to run into the penalty area but captain Owen Bartley dispossessed him.
Three minutes later an excellent cross from Seb Hounsell picked out Corey Gardner at the back of the six-yard box but the striker headed straight at the Almondsbury keeper, Sam Burgess.
Then in the 11th minute the visitors took the lead. A break on the right led to a shot that Jack Amor did well to save but Paolo Poli was closest to put away the rebound, 0-1.
Back came Town and three minutes after falling behind Corey Gardner setup Charlie Walton on the edge of the box but his shot was straight at Burgess.
On 18 minutes Town fell further behind. A ball over the top caught out the Town defence. Jack Amor came out of the box to clear but Almondsbury’s Liam Nicholls beat him to the ball and lifted it over the keeper into the net, 0-2.
In the 31st minute it got worse when a free kick from the right into the danger area led to Jack Amor bringing down an attacker in the box and referee Thomas Jeffrey pointed to the spot. Up stepped Craig Lancastle to fire in the penalty, 0-3.
Just two minutes later Jack Newman pulled the ball back to Reece Collyer in the box but the Town midfielder’s shot flew just wide of the far post. On 37 minutes Reece Collyer again went close. His shot from the edge of the box thumped the intersection of the bar and post. On 40 minutes the dangerous Pali was denied when Jack Amor saved his shot. At the break the hosts trailed 0-3.
Manager Rob Nash rang the changes at the start of the second half. Both full backs Max Whittaker and Owen Bartley were replaced by Henry McFerran and George Walker-Haynes. He changed the formation from a back four to a three with Seb Hounsell and Corey Gardner playing as wing backs. Charlie Walton took a more advanced position playing up front alongside Jack Newman.
The change seemed to work well with Warminster becoming more dominant. On 57 minutes Charlie Walton was brought down in the box and the referee awarded another penalty. Jordan Pinder took the spot kick and for the first time this season failed to score from the spot, his shot hitting the keeper’s right-hand post.
In the 65th minute Town pulled a goal back. Reece Collyer delivered a pinpoint cross from a left side corner and Charlie Walton headed in, 1-3.
Just five minutes later a right-side corner wasn’t cleared and Braden Humphreys fired in through a crowded area, 2-3. On 71 minutes an audacious long-range effort from Walton was just wide of the target. Just when it looked like Town would complete a dramatic comeback the dangerous Pali struck again. From the left side of the penalty area he shot past Jack Amor inside the far post.
In the 82nd minute Charlie Walton was brought down again in the box but this time referee Jeffrey waived play on. A minute later Tyson Pollard created space in the visitors’ penalty area but his shot was blocked. That was to be the closest Warminster got in the closing minutes and the visitors extended their winning run to six games. Town were left to rue their slow start and missed chances.
Report: Geoff Jackson
Picture: JH Sports Photography
