Westfield 6 Willingdon Athletic 1
A youthful Westfield started the season in impressive fashion at home to Willingdon on Saturday. A new look side featuring 5 teenagers in the starting eleven started the game in the worst possible fashion however. Willingdon took the lead through Joe Larkin, with an exquisite free kick from a fully 45 yards out after only 2 minutes. Westfield soon settled into the game with debutant Alfie Simmons and the returning Liam Ward controlling the midfield area. Warren Pethig was looking a huge threat on the right hand side and it was Pethig who was unlucky not to level the scores when skipped past the full back and struck the inside of the post. Pethig did finally level the scores after again leaving the fullback trailing and finishing smartly into the bottom corner. Westfield continued to push forward and were causing the Willingdon side problems all over the pitch. Plenty of chances went begging until finally after smart play from debutant Will Ray and captain Joe Dicken lead to Joe laying a precise through ball to Ryan Moir. Ryan picked out targetman Josh Pickering with a first time cross and he finished calmly to open his account for the season. Half time Westfield 2 Willingdon Athletic 1
The second half started with Westfield again on top and after 63 minutes Westfield scored their third. Great work down the left by yet another debutant Corey Wheeler, led to Willingdon defender Kasey Ryan slicing the ball into his own net. This goal seemed to deflate Willingdon and their stubborn resistance faltered. Minutes later substitute Callum Smith nipped in at the front post to score, after more good work from Wheeler and Moir down the left and Pethig got his second with an easy finish, after rattling the woodwork seconds before. Further chance went begging until in the 88th minute Liam Ward was rewarded for his hardwork with a goal. Ward, burst past the defender and stroked the ball home from the edge of the area. The result puts Westfield second in the fledgling league table, behind local rivals Hollington.
Westfield: Holmwood, Maclean (Allen), Moir (Breidas), Ward, Dicken, Ray, Simmons (Ferrance), Pickering (Smith), Austin (Willett), Pethig, Wheeler.
The man of the match award, kindly sponsored by The Painting Company, was Warren Pethig.
Next up for Westfield is a tricky looking trip to Holland Sports. Manager Harry Stapley has a few selection decisions to ponder as the Westies already impressive squad is expected to strengthened by the returning George Landais, Ashley Paine, Steffan Davies and Carl Morris.