In a thrilling cup encounter at the West Woodlands Showground on 2nd March 2025, Witham Friary U13 secured a well deserved 1-0 victory against Westbury United Youth & Development FC. The match, which kicked off at 2:00pm, saw the home side display resilience and tactical discipline to edge past their opponents, securing a place in the Semi Finals of the competition for the first time in their history.
They are yet to find out their opponents but with league leaders Devizes safely progressing 14-0 and bottom of the table Larkhall winning on penalties they will be hoping the draw will be kind to them.
Witham Friary lined up in a 3-2-3-2 formation, a setup designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Finlay Patrick took his position as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back three comprising Dylan Turner as the central defender, flanked by Dempsey Matthews on the right and Matthew Lyons on the left. In midfield, Max Norris and Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil operated centrally, tasked with linking play and supporting both defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Ethan Oatley on the right, Leo Griffin in the centre, and Archie Hansford on the left, while Zak Daniels and Nikoli Ostergaard led the line as forwards. The bench included Sullivan Collis, ready to make an impact when called upon.
The match began with an early attempt from Nikoli who tested the Westbury goalkeeper with a shot that was saved just two minutes in. This set the tone for a competitive first half, with both teams looking to assert their dominance. The breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Nikoli found the net with a close-range effort, cooling finishing to give Witham Friary a crucial lead. The goal came following a corner from Matthews which caused confusion with the Westbury defence struggling to clear.
As the first half progressed, Witham continued to press for more goals. Archie Hansford had a chance in the 25th minute, but his effort was also saved, showcasing the visitors' goalkeeper's skills. Dylan Turner then attempted to double the lead with a shot that went just over from a free kick 25 yards out in the 30th minute, before the half-time whistle blew at 35 minutes, signalling a 1-0 advantage for the home side.
The second half saw a tactical substitution as Sullivan Collis replaced Ethan Oatley, aiming to inject fresh energy into the midfield. However, the match remained tightly contested, with both teams creating chances. Archie Hansford was particularly active, having another shot saved just before the hour mark.
Daniels, Norris and Griffin all had shots saved by the Westbury keeper in the second half. The Keepers long kicks were a constant source of pressure throughout the game.
Witham's defence, remained resolute, and Finlay Patrick made a spectacular full-stretch save in the 66th minute to deny Westbury an equaliser. As the match approached its conclusion, Sullivan Collis had a late attempt in the 71st minute, but his shot was also saved, ensuring the scoreline remained unchanged.
Despite a valiant effort from Westbury United, Witham Friary held firm to secure a well-deserved victory, demonstrating both tenacity and tactical awareness throughout the match. The result not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive tone for the remainder of the cup competition alongside a welcome clean sheet.
With the semi finals due to be held at a neutral ground, all eyes will be on the draw. Meanwhile they are back in league action next weekend against Amsbury.
