On Saturday Howle Hill played Westbury at the Sports Centre looking to bounce back after losing to English Bicknor the week before. Manager Stacey was forced to make 3 changes to his starting 11 starting Joe Griffiths making his full debut at full back and switching Ryan Stacey to right back. George Miles partnered Rob McAfee at the heart of the defence with Chris Cooke in goal.

The pitch was hard to play any football on with Fridays nights heavy rain and it showed early on as Westbury created a host of chances which Cooke did well to keep the scores level saving at the forwards feet when the striker was favourite to score.

Hill started to come into the game and after 20 mins took the lead when Lee Edwards burst from midfield to score with a shot into the bottom corner. The wingers of Andy Francis and James O'Brien started to dominate the away defence and O'Brien created the chance for Tommy Shotton to score hills second with a slightly deflected shot which beat the keeper. The score at half time was 2 0 to Howle Hill.

The half time team talk was all about keeping the game tight and hold on to the lead but the second half was nothing like the game plan. Midfield dynamo Ben Hall scored the goal of the game soon after the break when he chipped the keeper from 20 yards.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.