Warminster manager Rob Nash made two changes from the team that started the midweek draw against Devizes.
Henry McFerran replaced injured captain Owen Bartley. Henry took over at centre back allowing Ryan Benson to move into midfield. The other change saw Corey Gardner replace Reece Collyer in midfield.
Warminster started well dominating possession in the first quarter of an hour, but as the half wore on Broadwalk started to get into the game. Both sides struggled to control the ball on an uneven surface and with a gusting wind. The best chance of the half came on 40 minutes when Jack Newman was sent clear. He cut into the penalty area and shot but Broadwalk keeper Ben Britton saved well with his legs. At the break we still awaited the first goal of the afternoon.
Warminster started the second half as they had the first, in the ascendancy. On 49 minutes Jack Newman fired just wide of the post from the edge of the box. Then in the 57th minute Jordan Pinder’s header from a left-side corner flew just over the bar.
The pressure was building and on the hour Warminster took the lead. A Broadwalk handball in the box led to the visitors being awarded their fourth penalty in three games! Spot kick expert Jordan Pinder stepped up and once gained made no mistake, 1-0 Warminster.
Warminster taking the lead seemed to stir Broadwalk into action and five minutes later their centre forward Joshua Gilborson’s shot from outside the bar flew just wide of Jack Amor’s right-hand post. Then on 74 minutes Tyson Pollard was sent clear down the left, cut inside the right back and curled a shot just wide of the far post. A minute later that miss appeared to have been costly when Broadwalk equalised. They broke quickly and Gilborson found himself in space in the box and beat Jack Amor low to his left, one-all.
Three minutes later the hosts went so close to taking the lead when a free-kick from outside the box was lifted over the wall but just cleared the crossbar. With time running out the hosts were looking dangerous. Then on 84 minutes a Warminster break down the left led to a cross into the box. Broadwalk only half cleared the ball, and it bounced invitingly in front of substitute Reece Collyer fully 30 yards from goal. He let fly one of his signature rocket shots that flew into the Broadwalk keeper’s top left-hand corner, 2-1 Warminster.
Three minutes later it was almost all square again. A Broadwalk free kick from the left into the danger area was headed goalwards and only a superb diving save by Jack Amor kept the visitors ahead.
Stoppage time was tense viewing but the referee finally blew the full-time whistle. Warminster had won their first Western League away game since October 2023. It’s been a long time coming!
