Last minute winner for Westbury

North’s A team entertained Westbury United Banks C team and ultimately lost 3-2 with Westbury scoring the winner with only seconds to go on the clock.
North had raced into the lead within two minutes following a devastating counter attack with Mike Hooper lashing the ball into the net after the ball had been moved swiftly up the pitch. A chance for a second goal was missed when Callum Black had a penalty flick saved and for most of the first half the play was fairly even, Westbury keeping possession longer but not able to break the North defence and North looking very dangerous when counter attacking at speed. North did get a second before half time when Mike Hooper turned in the D and got away a powerful strike despite being closely marked. North captain Rob O’Neill made several outstanding saves in the first half to help his team to a 2-0 half time lead.
In the second half North Somerset just dropped off their game slightly, and lost a little bit of fluency whilst Westbury continued to press forward. Westbury only got their first goal though a good short corner shot mid way through the second half but North could not create the same danger as in the first half to get what would have a crucial third goal. The continued Westbury pressure told with a second goal coming after a penalty stroke was awarded with five minutes to go. Crucially a North Somerset attack broke down within the last minute when a player tried to beat a Westbury defender when easy pass options were available and Westbury seized on the opportunity to mount one last quick counterattack finished off very well by their forward, to leave the North team distraught at vital league points squandered.