WESTFIELDS FAIL TO HALT THE SLIDE
Westfields travelled to lowly Shrivenham on Saturday for an Hellenic League Premier Division game and came away with a 2-2 draw but it will feel like 2 points dropped in this end of season Hellenic League Premier Division game where Westfields saw their run of poor results continue with just one win in the last 9 league outings.
Westfields started well in the game and created a number of early openings and Harrison Summers and Harrison Iddles both went close in the early stages but it was the home side that took the lead with a route one goal when a long goal-kick down the middle of the pitch was picked up by the home striker who lobbed Matt Apperley in the Westfields goal to put the home side ahead.
Westfields immediately came back and Dan Stoneman hit the inside of the goalpost at the other end and then Sam Rawlings saw a fine header go wide before a good move was finished by the non-stop Harrison Iddles to draw Westfields level at one each.
However, Westfields’ celebrations were short lived when a corner by Shrivenham in only their second attack of the game resulted in the ball being headed home from 6 yards with a free header from close range.
Westfields should have drawn level shortly before half time when the lively Harrison Summers got free but his header from 6 yards flew wide of the far post from a Stoneman cross.
After the break Westfields literally camped in the Shrivenham half in an effort to draw level and chances started to go begging when first Josh Hunt was put clean through with a one-on-one with the keeper but the home keeper responded and thwarted Westfields’ leading goal scorer.
Somehow the Shrivenham goal survived as both Iddles and Stoneman both had good opportunities which failed to bring the equaliser.
However, Westfields made a change with the introduction of Under 18 striker Sam Griffiths for the injured Harrison Iddles, and Dan Stoneman moved onto the left-hand side and this almost paid off when Josh Hunt put Stoneman through which resulted in a fine left foot finish to put the sides 2-2 and level.
The last 15 minutes then saw Westfields dominate the game and frustratingly they could not force the vital third goal to give them 3 valuable points when both Josh Hunt and Stoneman had good opportunities and then right at the death Harrison Summers had a great opportunity to win the game for Westfields but he volleyed his shot wide of the upright.
Westfields gave everything in the second half and Max Coley in particular in midfield had an outstanding game while the ever-reliable Paul Hurrell at the back kept things tight for Westfields in the second half on the rare occasions that the home side broke away.
Westfields now entertain Chipping Sodbury at allpay.park on Saturday 19th March, kick-off 3pm.