_ WESTFIELD will feel that justice was done after winning at Storrington on Saturday.
The Sussex County Football League Division Two match was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch two weeks previously with Westfield leading 3-0 early in the second half.
The result didn’t stand, however, and Westfield had to make the long journey all over again last weekend. But they came home with all three points thanks to goals from Bradley Owens and Danny Woodley.
The visitors started well, but Storrington were soon on top, though they were made to pay for their lack of cutting edge when Owens struck with a low shot from 25 yards. Mike Booth then rattled a post from an acute angle.
A mistake from Jamie Bell allowed the home side to level just after half time through Liam Humphreys. Westfield then lost Ross Williams to injury and the introduction of Woodley meant a shuffling of the pack.
It proved to be a master stroke, though, with Woodley supplying a headed finish to Lawrence Brand’s cross to reclaim the lead.
Booth missed some good chances to kill the game off, but it didn’t matter as Westfield eventually claimed a deserved three points.
“We didn’t want to travel back there and leave with nothing, not after last time,” joint manager Tony Harris said. “We played well, so we’re happy to have got the points we think we deserved.”
Westfield: Morris, Williams (Woodley), Bell, Thomson, Archer, Brand, Warren, Owens (Ringwood), Henham, Booth, Cuddington.
_ WESTFIELD defied a numerical disadvantage to get the better of Southwick at The Parish Field on Saturday.
Despite having Jethro Warren sent-off in the second half with the game still goalless, Westfield clinched the points thanks to a cracker from Gordon Cuddington.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It should’ve been more comfortable than it probably was. First half we were by far the better team and we had probably three really good chances, but didn’t take them. Second half we were a bit sloppy and they grew into the game, but I felt we deserved the win.”
Westfield could have gone ahead inside 30 seconds, but Mike Booth pulled his shot wide when one-on-one. A couple of other promising situations came to nothing during the remainder of the first half in this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture.
Westfield went down to 10 men in the second period when Warren was given his marching orders following an altercation with an opponent in front of the away dugout.
Westfield dropped Cuddington back into midfield where he was outstanding and he grabbed the only goal with a 25-yard half volley into the opposite top corner.
The hosts defended fairly well thereafter. Southwick pumped a few balls into the box late on, but goalkeeper Carl Morris dealt with everything and Cuddington came close to a great solo goal at the other end.
Westfield: Morris, Williams, Thomson, Archer, Bell (Woodley), Brand, Warren, Henham, Owens (Ringwood), Cuddington, Booth (Smith).
_The 3rd team are still on their way to back-to-back promotions after a 5-2 victory of bottom of the table Parkfield. However it wasn't the walk over the score line would suggest. A mistake from no one in particular (Jacob Archer missing a clearance) put us 1 down within 10 minutes before the clubs top goal scored BJ Driver came to our rescue again before half time. Manager/Player George Driver put us in the lead early in the second half with a well placed face/header. "Big" Dave Winch scored from point black range but within 10 seconds from the restart we were pegged back to 3-2. Jon-Jo Wright and another goal from Dave sealed the victory. The run to the end of the season is jam-packed with matches, a game on Wednesday V Icklesham at the Parish Field before a double header at league leaders Bexhill Athletic on Saturday.
_ WESTFIELD made hard work of their victory at Wick on Saturday, but some pleasing ‘team goals’ eventually were enough to hand them the win.
The three points completed a Sussex County Football League Division Two double over their opponents this season after triumphing by an identical scoreline in September’s reverse fixture.
On a wet and boggy surface, Westfield goalkeeper Carl Morris was called into action frequently early on and three good saves kept the scoreline goalless.
Having weathered the early storm, the visitors took the lead on 13 minutes. A neat interchange between Danny Woodley and Mike Booth allowed the latter to find space in the box and he calmly passed his effort into the corner of the net.
Five minutes later, Westfield doubled their advantage. Another good move this time ended with Jethro Warren, who made no mistake with his finish.
The game remained at 2-0 until the hour mark when Dan Swain pulled one back. Woodley restored Westfield’s two- goal lead in the 72nd minute with a composed effort after more good build-up play from his team-mates.
Kieron Playle-Howard ensured a nervy ending when he capitalised on miscommunication between Morris and Tom Archer late on, but Westfield remained strong to hold on to the points.
“We made hard work of it,” joint manager Tony Harris said. “But taking six points off of any team in a season is nice.
“I’m pleased for Danny (Woodley) too with his goal. He’s played well lately, but he was frustrated at not being on the scoresheet and hopefully now he can go on a little run.”
Westfield: Morris, Williams, Thomson, Archer, Bell (Ferris), Brand, Warren, Henham, Cuddington, Woodley, Booth (Smith). Sub not used: Ringwood.
_ WESTFIELD surged into the Hastings & District FA Senior Cup final with a splendid victory over Little Common on Tuesday night.
Three second half goals did the damage as Westfield avenged a Sussex County Football League Division Two loss at home to the same opponents back in August.
Westfield joint manager Tony Harris said: “It’s always nice to win a local derby and I felt we deserved it. The attitude of the players was spot on and we kept our discipline.”
The first half of a niggly semi-final wouldn’t have been great viewing for a sparse crowd. Play was fairly even, but Common had the best chance. Westfield were undone by a Russell Eldridge long ball and 29-goal leading scorer Jamie Crone lobbed over Westfield goalkeeper Carl Morris, but also over the crossbar.
Shortly afterwards, Westfield forward Danny Woodley had a very strong penalty appeal turned down. Lewis Hole had half a chance for Common which he dragged wide, while Westfield had three of four efforts themselves, some of which were spilled by Common goalkeeper Jon Saunders. Both sides might have picked up a couple of bookings for persistent fouling.
Into the second half and the game swung decisively in Westfield’s favour in the space of just a few minutes. Lawrence Brand put them in front and Common then had Crone sent-off after diving in on Sam Henham.
“I don’t think he meant to catch Sam, but it was a dangerous tackle and based on the current rules, I thought it was a red card,” continued Harris.
Common actually created more chances when they went down to 10 men, mainly from long balls, and Morris made an outstanding double save to keep Westfield 1-0 in front.
Common pushed an extra man forward which gave Westfield some problems until the visitors adjusted their shape to nullify the opposing wide players.
Mike Booth doubled Westfield’s advantage and Zach Ferris made absolutely sure with a third goal. Steve Thomson was outstanding in the away defence.
Westfield’s reward is a showdown against Sidley United or Bexhill United, who will meet in the other last four tie on Thursday March 21.
Westfield: Morris, Williams, Thomson, Archer, Bell, Brand (Ferris), Warren, Henham, Cuddington (Owens), Woodley, Booth. Subs not used: Discala, Smith.
_ WESTFIELD were frustrated that they couldn’t register a victory against third-bottom Rustington on Saturday.
Jamie Bell fell ill on the morning of the Sussex County Football League Division Two game, but Westfield did welcome Tom Archer and Sam Henham back into the starting line-up.
Zach Ferris was also handed his first senior start, while new signing Scott Greenaway took a place on the substitutes’ bench.
The visitors took a first minute lead through Jethro Warren, whose 25-yard free kick sailed into the top corner. But they were pegged back just 90 seconds later when a defensive mix-up allowed Rustington’s Andy Boxall to sweep home from close range.
After the early goals, the first half lacked quality with no urgency or ambition in much of either side’s play. Five minutes before the break, however, Gordon Cuddington was fouled in the box and captain Warren handed his side the lead once more.
A flat performance continued after half time, though, and Westfield themselves conceded a spot-kick with 10 minutes left. Despite getting a hand to the penalty, goalkeeper Carl Morris couldn’t repeat his spot-kick save of the previous weekend.
Cuddington had a late chance, while Mike Booth saw an effort disallowed for offside, meaning the points were shared.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “There are a couple of positives we can take, but we were capable of three points here. A draw is not an ideal outcome.”
Westfield: Morris, Brand, Thomson, Archer, Williams, Ringwood, Warren, Henham, Ferris (Greenaway), Cuddington, Woodley (Booth). Sub not used: Disacala.
_ WESTFIELD rewarded the hard work of groundsman Jon Attewell with three points at home to Seaford Town on Saturday afternoon.
Attewell’s sterling endeavours enabled the game to go ahead, despite the rain which put paid to many other fixtures around the county and the hosts took full advantage to win their third game in a row in all competitions.
The weather rather than the surface contributed to a difficult Sussex County Football League Division Two game, with both sides struggling to gain momentum in the early stages.
Town looked the more likely to make something of their possession, but the visitors failed to create any clearcut chances. After 20 minutes, though, it was Westfield who drew first blood through striker Mike Booth.
A rare foray into Seaford territory down Westfield’s right-hand side saw Danny Woodley deliver an excellent cross and Booth applied a neat finish past goalkeeper Sheldon Levett.
As half time approached, Town were pressing for a leveller and they eventually got it on the stroke of the break. Alex Thompson cut inside Jamie Bell having collected the ball out wide and his drive flew into the bottom corner past Carl Morris.
Chances were few and far between during the second period, but Westfield substitute Brad Owens went close on two occasions and Booth had an attempt cleared off the line.
Westfield grabbed their winner on 84 minutes. Jethro Warren’s free kick was flicked on by Steve Thomson and Sam Henham was on hand to claim the decisive goal.
“All credit goes to Jon really,” Westfield joint manager Tony Harris said. “Like everyone at Westfield FC, Jon is just a volunteer who is happy to help out.
“He worked on the pitch right up until kick-off and the fact it hardly cut up at all during the game is a credit to his hard work.
“I’m pleased with this little run we’re on right now. Seaford probably deserved something, but obviously we were delighted that Sam could nick a winner.”
Westfield: Morris, Williams, Bell (Owens), Thomson, Archer, Brand, Warren, Henham, Cuddington, Woodley, Booth (Ferris). Subs not used: Smith, Ridgway.
_WESTFIELD’S five-match winning run was ended by a 94th minute winner from table-topping opposition on Saturday.
It was cruel on a Westfield side which had produced such a resourceful performance having played the final hour of the Sussex County Football League Division Two match with 10 men.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “There were a lot of positives. We were really chuffed with the positive aggression, character, desire and commitment.”
The game was eventful throughout and Newhaven had already missed a good chance by the time Westfield took a third minute lead when Tom Archer got to a Sam Henham free kick before the away goalkeeper.
Newhaven equalised, however, from a penalty conceded by Nathan Russell and went ahead soon afterwards. The hosts then came under a bit of pressure, but weathered it and got back on level terms just after the half-hour when Danny Woodley got on the end of another Henham free kick.
Henham was then shown a straight red card for a tackle in front of the Newhaven supporters, but despite being a player down, Westfield felt they were the better team. Gordon Cuddington missed a great chance after robbing the full-back and saw a header well saved.
Westfield lost Bradley Owens to injury at half time, but were unlucky not to go back in front when Woodley’s header was tipped onto the post and only a bobble prevented him converting the rebound.
Archer also came off injured, yet Westfield were still performing manfully until their defence was finally breached in the fourth of seven additional minutes. A cross looked to be heading out of play only for Lawrence Edwards to smash the ball home from an acute angle.
Westfield (4-4-2): Cruttwell; Brand, Russell, Archer (Harris), Williams; Ringwood, Warren, Henham, Owens (Bell); Cuddington, Woodley. Subs not used: Smith, Ferris.
_WESTFIELD made it five consecutive league victories by coming through a close game at The Parish Field on Saturday afternoon.
Two terrific goals from Jethro Warren gave Westfield the points and moved them above their opponents in the Sussex County Football League Division Two table.
Westfield goalkeeper Matt Cruttwell was called into action in the first two minutes, while Gordon Cuddington rattled the crossbar at the other end five minutes later with a great strike from distance.
Play was fairly even with plenty of tackles going in on a surface made slippery by persistent drizzle.
A Bradley Owens cross-shot went wide of the far post before Warren gave Westfield a 29th minute lead through a cracking volley with his less-favoured right foot from a corner.
Danny Woodley went down in the away box barely a minute later, but Westfield’s appeals for a penalty were waved away. Heath missed two good chances to get back on level terms, firing one effort over from close range and another shot just wide.
Just as Westfield seemed to have weathered the storm and were looking the better side, Heath equalised in controversial fashion 10 minutes into the second half. Westfield cleared a set-piece and moved out quickly, but a long diagonal ball was played back in and the offside flag stayed down, allowing Dan Attwater the chance to score.
Westfield responded well, though, and Warren grabbed what proved to be the winner with a left-foot shot from 25 yards which arrowed into the corner of the net.
Heath had a chance to snatch a point near the end when their striker poked wide as Cruttwell came rushing out, while Nathan Russell made a goal-line clearance as a dogged and determined Westfield held on for the win.
Westfield (4-4-2): Cruttwell; Brand, Archer, Russell, Williams; Ringwood (Smith), Warren, Henham, Owens; Cuddington, Woodley. Subs not used: Bell, Kendall, Harris.
__WESTFIELD made it four successive league wins after becoming the latest team to hammer hapless Saltdean United on Saturday.
Three goals in the first half and five more in the second meant that Westfield inflicted a 12th successive Sussex County Football League Division Two defeat on bottom-of-the-table opposition.
Westfield joint manager Duncan Jones said: “It was a really mature performance. We had four or five young players in the team, and once they got a foothold in the game, won their battles and moved the ball quickly, we slowly took them apart. There were some really good performances out there.”
Saltdean came for a battle and it took Westfield 20 minutes to break the deadlock. Sam Henham delivered a fine ball for Tom Archer to score with a cracking header.
Lawrence Brand, playing in central midfield rather than full-back, made it two with his first goal since returning to the club and Gordon Cuddington added number three.
Despite kicking into the wind, Saltdean pulled one back early in the second half when a miscued shot at the end of a break fell into the path of Leighton Freeman, who struck a peach of a shot in off the crossbar.
Westfield swiftly netted a fourth, however, and proceeded to run out easy winners. The second half goals were scored by Bradley Owens, Henham, Brand, Zach Ferris and Cuddington, who now has 11 for the season.
Jones singled out Henham and Ferris, who scored his first senior goal, for special mention.
Westfield (4-4-2): Cruttwell; Williams, Archer (Morris), Russell, Bell; Bird (Ferris), Brand, Henham (Coombes) Owens; Woodley, Cuddington.
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