With confidence low after back-to-back defeats at the hands of Lacock and The Grapes, Cavalier were out to prove their critics wrong and cement their status as title challengers as they entertained a Westbury Conservative Club who were still looking for their first points of the season.
Roger Wiltshire's men were buoyed by the arrival of experienced Sunday League defender Rob Hannah on a free transfer, who made his debut at right-back, playing a fantastic 90 minutes despite the obvious rustiness.
With a full strength team at his disposal (with the exception of Dec McEniry), Wiltshire's men tore Westbury to shreds for the full 90 minutes, and if it wasn't for some poor finishing, the result would've been much worse for the travelling side.
Cavalier pressed well from the get-go, with Dan Rance and Mike Booth working hard down the flanks exposing the Westbury full-backs' lack of pace. 15 minutes into the game and the home side took the lead. Carl Ledbury picked up a ball from left-back, and picked out Rance with a searching 50 yard cross-field ball. Rance brought the pass down expertly, before smashing the ball into the goal from 18 yards. The 'keeper could've possibly done more to keep the shot out, but he made up for this error numerous times throughout the game.
Shortly after this, Roger Wiltshire should've doubled Cavalier's lead after being put through 1-on-1. With the goal at his mercy, his tame shot was kept out by the 'keeper. Wiltshire atoned for this mistake moments later. After good link-up play and passing in triangles on the right between Rance, Hannah and Wiltshire, Wiltshire put a beautiful ball towards the back post. The unmarked Mike Booth headed home from 5 yards to give Cavalier a deserved 2 goal cushion.
Cavalier were clumsy with their finishing, and should've been 5-0 to the good at half time. First Mike Booth was put through on goal by Wiltshire again, but his shot was dragged wide of the near post. Then Wiltshire set up John Stockman with a free header, but his effort was straight at the Westbury 'keeper. Moments later Wiltshire found Stockman again in the box, this time from a corner, but Stockman's attempt was cleared off the line.
Leigh Blanchard and John Stockman were as usual, bossing the centre of the pitch, and the journeyman Blanchard, who is still looking for his first goal in the yellow of Cavalier FC blasted one into row Z before the interval.
Jez Wiltshire was also having a good game, dropping deep to receive the ball, allowing Roger Wiltshire, Rance and Booth to make runs in behind.Westbury rarely threatened in the first half, not recording a shot on goal. They did have brief moments of possession in the Cavalier final third, after Andy Holman was caught daudling with the ball on a couple of occasions.
HALF TIME: 2-0.
With the team gelling well together and plenty more goals up for grabs in the 2nd half, Wiltshire decided not to change personnel at the interval. The game became a lot sloppier in the 2nd half, due to the lack of a challenge by Westbury, and also an injury to John Stockman, who was having a storming game up until this point. This forced Wiltshire into making a substitution, which made Cavalier lose their rhythm somewhat. Chris Underwood then made another appearance off the bench for the home side. It was his jinxing run and curling effort which forced a world class save from the Westbury 'keeper, keeping his side within grasp of a result.
The comeback was nearly on when Andy Holman headed backwards, nearly reliving his nightmare own goal against Worton in pre-season. Fortunately for the Cavalier secretary, his clearance bounced off the top of the crossbar and behind for a corner.
2 more efforts from Roger Wiltshire in the 2nd half came close to putting the result beyond any doubt, and Blanchard with his 2nd shot of the game after a cross from Mike Booth on the left, but his tame effort was collected easily by the 'keeper.
Towards the end of the game, Wiltshire made a run down the right wing and a pinpoint cross to Dan Rance was somehow shouldered wide, when it looked easier to score. Underwood had another 1-on-1 straight at the 'keeper which he could've possibly done more with.
Despite countless chances, Cavalier couldn't add to their first half tally, and the game finished an underwhelming 2-0.
FULL TIME: 2-0.
A great way to bounce back after 2 disappointing defeats, and puts us in good stead to grab another 3 points against London Road in 2 weeks time. This Sunday, however, Cavalier entertain a very strong Bremhill View FC side in the cup - a team that beat Cavalier 5-0 in pre-season. Wiltshire is using this as an opportunity to rotate the squad and try out some of his fringe players and see what they are capable of.
