It’s been almost two weeks since our last trot out so the Terras lads will be champing at the bit for another away test against Westbury United, who gaffer Warren Feeney thinks will “provide something different” and “a good opportunity to step up” against a higher level opponent than our near neighbours Portland United.
Despite a distance of less than 50 miles as the crow flies, these two have never met in a first team game but that will by righted this week in what some might call “The White Horse derby” as both towns are overlooked by a chalk stallion.
Although Westbury have spent most of their 100 year existence at county and Western league level, the “White horse men” have recently been on a leap up the pyramid, jumping the fence into the Southern league division one south in 2022/23. They are now firmly in the saddle in that division with three mid-table finishes since their clearance.
The home side come into this fixture on the back of four opening pre-season wins, crossing the finish line with no photo finishes required against local sides Fairford, Bitton, Paulton & Calne without conceding a single goal in the process.
The travelling Terras only have one game under their belts, the 4-2 victory on Portland against the isthmus based outfit, a trialist scoring a brace with McCarthy & Goodship adding a goal apiece.
Despite there being no recorded games between the dark greens and the Terras, there is at least some connection between the clubs with two Terras colts from the 1992/93 season who will be known to the Westbury faithful. Goalkeeper Steve Perrin played for the hosts before featuring in just one cup game for the Terras whereas forward Matt Bown played 44 times in claret, some years later going on to train Westbury.
Our opponents this week will likely be a step up in pedigree from our first friendly. Therefore the Terras thoroughbreds will be aiming not to be caught on the hoof attempting to canter and use this game to ensure their fetlocks are in fine fettle!…
Match preview
By Duncan Gardner
