I drove out after working in Weymouth, to Sturminster to watch a Jewson Western League Division 1 match, between Sturminster Newton United and Warminster Town.
Barnetts Field, the home of Sturminster Newton United, benefits from a small clubhouse and changing facilities, adjacent to a neat grass pitch and one covered standing area. The ground boasts eight efficient floodlights.
– Courtesy of http://www.westernleague.co.uk
Sturminster Newton United came into tonight’s match in twelfth place after a mixed opening eleven games in which they have won five, drawn two and lost four, to end up with seventeen points.
– Courtesy of Matchday programme.
Manager Nick Squires has seen goals come from Nick Hewlett (4 goals), Ashley Clarke and Aaron Lane-Laney (both 3 goals). Squires would have wanted a win from tonight’s fixture, to lift his side towards the play-off places.
Warminster Town have also had a mixed opening to the season winning three games, drawing three and losing five, to sit in fifteenth place with twelve points. Warminster manager, Rob Nash has seen his team lose all four league games on the road thus far and would have wanted a turn around in fortunes tonight. Goals for the visitors have come largely from the boots of Jack Newman (5 goals) and Jake Wright (3 goals).
– Courtesy of Club’s X account.
The game opened with both sides creating chances. In the opening half an hour the best chance fell to Warminster Town’s Jack Newman, who fired weakly at the keeper when through on goal.
In the 34th minute Buddy O’Shea broke free and neatly lobbed Callum Hotine in the Warminster goal, to put the home side 1-0 ahead.
Three minutes later and Sturminster Newton United were two ahead, after a disputed finish was finally confirmed, when the referee consulted with the assistant. At the half time break the teams went in with Sturminster Newton United holding on comfortably to their 2-0 lead.
As the sides left the pitch Warminster Town’s Toby Worts was dismissed for comments made to the referee, leaving his side to play the second half with ten men.
In the 65th minute Corey Gardner ran free to finish with a first time shot to pull a goal back and show the home side that the ten men had plenty of fight left in them.
Sturminster Newton United managed to play out the final minutes despite constant pressure from Warminster Town’s ten men. At the final whistle the 111 strong crowd had all been fully entertained and the home team had certainly earned their three points.
Tea, Cake and Football - Grounds of the UK 