Celebrating it's what your left hand's for

GERRY Pearson wasn't going to let a small thing like a dislocated thumb on his drinking hand spoil the celebrations on Saturday night.

And the Warminster player-manager had plenty to drink to.

He turned 40 last week and his wife celebrated her birthday on Sunday. In between the Screwfix Direct League First Division strugglers claimed another Premier Division scalp with this stunning FA Carlsberg Vase first round proper victory.

Warminster officials had arranged a surprise birthday party for their manager on Saturday night and the extra-time victory meant there were double celebrations.

Pearson dislocated his thumb after a first half tumble, but was quickly into the party mood.

"The thumb is all over the place and I had to drink left-handed, but it was a great night,'' said Pearson.

"In fact we stayed over in Warminster for the weekend and didn't get home to Sunday night."

When he took over at Weymouth Street during the summer, Pearson pledged that under his stewardship Warminster would always try to play good football and not resort to kick and chase.

He has stuck to his word and, while league results have been disappointing, Warminster have beaten Premier Division Backwell and now Elmore in the Vase.

"The competition seems to bring the best out of us and what we need to do now is to translate that form into our league games," said Pearson.

"We are not far away from being a good side, although I am looking for a new centre forward. I need someone who can score 20 goals a season and at the same time keep the pressure on the players already in the team."

While Warminster's approach work during the first 90 minutes was pretty to watch, their finishing was poor and with the game goal-less after 90 minutes few could have expected a 4-1 scoreline at the end of the extra 30 minutes.

But from finishing as flat as day-old lager, Warminster suddenly produced some sparkling champagne moments in front of goal to leave Elmore demoralised.

The Premier Division side simply lost their way and finished the game with only nine players, after full back Peter Philpott was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute and veteran manager Peter Buckingham, on as a substitute, was dismissed in the second period of extra-time for remarks made to referee Declan Ford.

Elmore must have been convinced it wasn't going to be their day after Mr Ford turned down three penalty appeals in the five minutes of injury time before the break.

Nick Woon and Mark Robinson both thought they should have been awarded penalties in the space of a few seconds in the 45th minute, but Mr Ford waved play on both times.

It was too much for Damon Palfrey, who screamed: "Have a word with yourself ref."

The crowd thought it was hilarious: Mr Ford didn't see the joke and booked the Elmore captain.

Then four minutes into stoppage time Woon appeared to have an even better shout for a spot kick turned down when he was upended by Warminster skipper John Delahaye, but again Mr Ford ruled against the visitors.

But none of that should be allowed to detract from Warminster's performance.

They went ahead in the seventh minute of extra-time, when Chris Welsby, on as a 73rd minute substitute for Pearson, cracked home a superb volley from the edge of the box from a left wing cross by Gary Kember.

Five minutes later it was 2-0, with Jon Hayter setting up the chance with a neat backheel and James Theobald drilling a left foot shot past Elmore goalkeeper Gary Lewis.

Seconds into the second period of extra-time time it was 3-0, with Welsby scoring his second from a right wing cross from Richard Wyatt.

The Warminster faithful could hardly believe what was going on and four minutes later it was 4-0, Jon Hayter stepping up to smash a 25 yard free kick past the helpless Lewis.

It was heady stuff and too much for Elmore manager Buckingham, who was sent off for remarks to Mr Ford.

Elmore did manage to pull a goal back in the closing stages, with Woon on target.

Warminster: Smith, Sparey, Manley, Copeland, Delahaye, Kember, Pearson (sub Casson 74 minutes), Theobald, Jon Hayter, Casson (sub Wyatt 61 minutes), Russell Hayter (sub Justin Tugwell 15 minutes).

Referee: Declan Ford (Reading).

Man of the match: Jon Delahaye (Warminster Town).

Warminster's Vase victory also wins them this week's Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News performance of the week award for sporting achievement.

The Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News invite sportsmen and women, club officials, family and friends to nominate anyone who has excelled in any sport so they can be considered for our performance of the week award.

Send nominations to Michael Bristow, sports editor, Wiltshire Times and News, 15 Duke Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8EF.

Bishop Sutton 1,

Chippenham Town 5

CHIPPENHAM scored three goals in the last ten minutes to move up to third place in the Screwfix Direct League Premier Division table.

Ian Murphy headed Chippenham ahead after 12 minutes and Mark Cutler added a second in the 32nd minute.

Pete Ball reduced the arrears before the break and had the chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half, but Richard Lucas fired over from the spot.

Chippenham then took control and Nick Tiley scored from the edge of the box in the 80th minute. A minute later Nathan Rudge headed home the fourth. Two minutes later Neil O'Sullivan got the fifth from close range.

Salisbury City 1,

Chippenham Town 0

A BELOW strength Chippenham side were unlucky to crash out of the Wiltshire Premier Shield in this preliminary round tie on Tuesday night.

The Dr Martens League side went ahead when a long range shot by Tyrone Bowers took a deflection off Chippenham defender Noel O'Sullivan and left goalkeeper Ian Jones stranded.

Nathan Rudge had an equaliser disallowed and Ian Murphy missed a penalty as Chippenham created and missed several good chances to take the tie.