WESTFIELDS SPOIL THE PARTY
Westfields travelled to runaway league leaders Bishops Cleeve last night for an Hellenic League Premier Division game and Westfields put up a superb, hard-working, end-to-end performance to come away with a valuable point.
However, it could have been 3 points for Westfields who dominated the game for long periods and it was only the home keeper Luke Merchant who kept Westfields at bay.
The match was played in driving rain on a very wet pitch but Westfields and Bishops Cleeve both played fast attacking football.
Westfields were the first to show when dangerman Jamie Bird cut in from the left and unleashed a tremendous 20-yard shot which hit the base of the post and flew across the face of the goal.
Westfields then had further efforts from Dan Stoneman and Josh Hunt which were scrambled away by the home defence.
At the other end, Kane Kahaki and Joe Davies worked overtime to keep out the free-scoring Bishops Cleeve attack and Ian Havard went full-length to hold onto a stinging drive from Jack Watts as the teams went in at the break goal-less.
After the interval the relentless rain continued and once again it was Westfields who took up the running and Josh Hunt had a great opportunity to put Westfields ahead but his header from a Bird corner flew inches past the far post.
Bird, who was a constant threat to the Bishops Cleeve defence all night, then had a long-range effort clear the bar before the pacey winger got free onto the end of a Keanu Cooper through-ball and raced past his defenders but he shot wide when well placed with just the keeper Luke Merchant to beat.
Westfields continued to work hard and this time it was Bishops Cleeve who came back into the game towards the end and Paul Hurrell and Lewis Binns both got in timely tackles to thwart the home attack.
Westfields can take much credit from this performance following their disappointment at Brimscombe on Saturday and now Bishops Cleeve have to secure a league win to lift the league title.
Certainly Westfields proved that they can match the champions elect with a hard-working non-stop performance and now they look forward to a home game on Saturday with Westbury United, who are also chasing a promotion place, kick-off 3pm, allpay.park.
