Under-18s three points clear at the top after top of the table win

Sunday 18th January 

Bath Arsenal 1 (0) Warminster Town U18’s 5 (2)

Mid Wilts Youth Football League

Warminster Town U18s produced a commanding performance away at Bath Arsenal, running out convincing 5–1 winners in difficult foggy conditions. The win gave Warminster a three-point cushion at the top of the table over Bath Arsenal who stay second.

The visitors started brightly and almost made the perfect start inside four minutes when excellent link-up play between Matt Hudd and Sam Allman released Dylan Grubb through on goal, his effort narrowly drifting wide. Bath Arsenal responded immediately with a quick counter-attack, but Warminster goalkeeper Toby Wickett showed sharp reactions, making an outstanding save with his feet to deny the hosts.

Warminster’s early pressure told in the sixth minute. Patient build-up from the defensive line through midfield saw the ball worked wide to Sam Allman on the left flank. Allman showed great composure, cutting inside and firing a precise shot beyond the Bath Arsenal keeper to give Warminster a deserved early lead.

Warminster had settled well, with the back four of Charlie Stone, Ashton Watkinson, Toby Jamieson-Yeates and Emmanuel Sanni demonstrating why they boast the league’s best defensive record.

Bath Arsenal threatened intermittently, notably in the 20th minute when a shot destined for the top corner was superbly tipped over the bar by Wickett.

Warminster continued to create chances, with Dylan Grubb forcing a good save on 32 minutes. The breakthrough for the second goal arrived five minutes before the interval. A flowing move involving Serej, Ryan Philps and Hudd saw the latter drive into the final third. After initially being tackled, Hudd showed tremendous perseverance to win the ball back immediately and calmly slot home to give Warminster a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Bath Arsenal pulled a goal back in controversial fashion when a harshly awarded free-kick was converted following a debatable yellow card decision against Ashton Watkinson.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. On 57 minutes, Archie McMahon delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, which Oscar Robinson finished at the back post in unconventional fashion to restore the two-goal cushion.

Just five minutes later, Warminster asserted full control as Hudd threaded a perfectly weighted pass through for Robinson, who coolly finished to claim his second goal of the afternoon.

The scoring was completed in style on 65 minutes when Dylan Grubb spotted the Bath Arsenal goalkeeper off his line and executed a confident chip to make it 5–1.

Bath Arsenal continued to battle, forcing another excellent save from Wickett on 75 minutes, while Sam Allman went close from a late free-kick. Warminster comfortably saw out the closing stages, sealing an emphatic and well-deserved victory.

This result continues the Red & Blacks’ excellent run of league form; seven games played, six wins, one draw and no defeats.

Man of the Match: Matt Hudd.

Report: James Stone