WESTFIELD failed to hold onto a half time lead as Sidley United boosted their promotion prospects with victory at The Parish Field on Tuesday night.
The home side netted just before half time when goalkeeper Dan Foster’s long kick downfield was missed by the first defender and Sean Smith ducked in to execute a clever clipped finish across Harry Killick and into the far corner of the net.
Sidley, however, were back on level terms within a minute of the start of the second period as a half time rollicking from manager John Lambert had an immediate effect.
A corner was met by Kevin Rose whose header was parried by Foster - apparently blinded by the setting sun - and Matt Maclean made sure from the rebound.
Rose then headed over an open goal from four yards before Jason Taylor produced a thumping finish across Foster.
Despite being inspired by the quick feet of Maclean and the sheer will of Danny Spice, there was no way Sidley could maintain this tempo for the whole of the second half and Westfield might have levelled late on.
David Miller fired over from just inside the box before Sidley substitute Kenny Pogue settled matters by netting from the tightest of angles.
Sidley should have taken an early lead in this Sussex County League Division Two derby but Maclean and Rose both wasted glorious opportunities in the opening 10 minutes.
Westfield rallied and Matt Dadswell came agonisingly close before Smith’s strike gave them hope of ending their home programme on a winning note.
“First half we did very well and I thought we deserved our lead at half time,” said Westfield joint manager Tony Harris. “If we could have held out for the first 10 minutes of the second half, we might have got something out of the game.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham, Wood, C. Morris, Brand, Hurley, G. Morris, Smith, Dadswell, Brain (Paine). Subs not used: Fawcett, Harris, Beaumont
Saturday 17th April 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WORTHING UNITED 1
WESTFIELD 0
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD produced a vastly improved performance to push second-placed opposition all the way on Saturday.
And joint manager Duncan Jones felt the Parishioners were unlucky not to have taken at least a point from this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture.
He said: “We were superb. The performances have been getting better and better, and what we’ve been working on has been getting better and better. I know we lost, but it culminated on Saturday.
“We dominated the game and deserved something out of it. We caused them all sorts of problems and there were more than enough opportunities for us to win it. It was a massive step in the right direction.”
From the start Westfield pressed high up the pitch, hunted in packs and in the words of Jones “suffocated” the opposition. When they had possession, Westfield had the confidence to play football on a difficult surface.
The back four - with Ashley Paine particularly impressive on his first outing for the front side in some time - were solid and Lawrence Brand stood out in midfield, while David Miller and Adam Hurley combined well on the right.
What’s more, the makeshift forward pair of Matt Dadswell (usually a central midfielder) and Sean Smith (generally a winger) did a really good job, with Dadswell making the ball stick and Smith causing problems in behind.
But it was Worthing who took the points thanks to a goal about 20 minutes in when a daisycutter of a shot from Grant Phillpott following a corner took a deflection which wrong-footed goalkeeper Dan Foster and trickled over the line.
Jones became the latest victim in an injury plagued season when, not long after coming on as a substitute, he badly bruised and sprained an ankle he had pinned 12 years ago while playing for Hastings Town (now United) in a fall.
“It showed what this side is capable of. We’re not a side that’s fourth-from-bottom,” added Jones, of a Westfield team which was whiskers away from a second half equaliser when Zac Fawcett volleyed just wide.
Westfield: Foster, Miller, C. Morris (Fawcett), Wood, Paine, Hurley, Graham, G. Morris (Jones (Harris)), Dadswell, Brand, Smith.
Saturday 10th April 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 1
STEYNING TOWN 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD suffered more frustration on Saturday as they were held by second-from-bottom opposition at The Parish Field.
The Parishioners have won just one of their last eight Sussex County Football League Division Two matches, but joint manager Duncan Jones believes progress is being made.
He said: “The atmosphere in the changing room is spot on. We had a tough period and things didn’t feel right, but they’re pulling together, working hard as a unit and working hard in training. They all want to turn it round.”
Westfield made three changes from the starting line-up against Rye United five days previously. Matt Dadswell, Jack Graham and Adam Hurley replaced Tony Harris, Carl Morris and Terry Payne, the latter two of whom were unavailable.
Jones praised the defence for not giving a Steyning side which hasn’t won since its 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture on November 14 a sniff until falling behind around the hour mark.
Tom Archer, who Jones said was fantastic all game, made a slight mistake which allowed Steyning to get a cross in, from which Armando Talavera’s scuffed finish wrong-footed Dan Foster and dribbled over the line.
Though Jones admitted that confidence is “absolutely shot at the moment”, Westfield reacted well and were convinced they should have had a penalty when an away defender appeared to scoop out Lee Wood’s header with his hand.
Jones said: “The only people who didn’t see it were the linesman and referee, their players even apologised to me afterwards. When things are going badly, you just don’t seem to get a break.”
Westfield finally grabbed an equaliser - and ended their three-match scoring drought - when Dadswell bagged his eighth of the season - the most of any current Westfield player - from a great cross by Graham.
The hosts might have forced a winner towards the end, but the visiting goalkeeper pulled off a blinding save from a header from substitute Sean Smith to ensure Steyning avoided a seventh successive defeat.
“We had more than enough chances to win the game, but it was just one of those days,” added Jones. “I think we could’ve stayed there for another hour and we wouldn’t have got one past him (the Steyning goalkeeper).”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham, Wood, Archer (Paine), G. Morris (Smith), Hurley, Dadswell, Jones, Brand, Brain. Subs not used: Fawcett, Harris.
Monday 5th April 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
RYE UNITED 3
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD were left to rue refereeing decisions as they were beaten by their table-topping local rivals on Easter Monday.
The Parishioners really needed things to go their way if they were to get a result against formidable opposition, but the two big calls in the first half of this Sussex County Football League Division Two derby went against them.
Ben Ridgway firstly escaped with a yellow card for a foul on Terry Payne when Westfield believed he was the last man and then goalkeeper Dan Foster was penalised for picking up what referee Barry Crowhurst deemed a back pass from Lawrence Brand.
The back pass resulted in the opening goal after 19 minutes. Scott Ramsay touched the ball for Duncan McArthur to place a wonderful shot into the top corner from just outside the six-yard box despite the entire Westfield team stationing themselves on the goal-line.
Rye doubled their advantage eight minutes later. Shaun Loft won a header from Foster’s goal kick and Dominic Clarke flicked the ball on for strike partner Danny Leach to get goalside of Tom Archer and finish confidently.
The visitors looked in complete control during the remainder of the half and only a tremendous goal-line clearance by Duncan Jones prevented Clarke heading a third from McArthur’s 44th minute corner.
Westfield earned a number of set-pieces during a more even second half that never really got going, and although they’re traditionally strong from dead ball situations, almost all the deliveries
were met by a Rye head.
Rye made sure of a victory which exacted revenge for a 2-1 defeat in Boxing Day’s reverse fixture in the 70th minute when Clarke played in Leach for his second, although Matt Dadswell felt he was fouled by Loft in the build-up.
Foster did just enough to deny McArthur three minutes later following a great flick on by Clarke. Westfield’s best effort in a game containing only two bookings - the other for home full-back Carl Morris - was a well-struck free kick from Lawrence Brand in the first half which Jon Gardner tipped over fairly comfortably.
Jones said: “Whichever way you cook it, decisions change games. In big games when you’re struggling, you need a couple of decisions to go your way and two big decisions went against us.
“From a situation where we could have been 0-0 against 10 men, we were 1-0 down against 11 men and it was always going to be a tough ask from that point on against a very good side.
“First half we competed really well and second half I thought we competed well, but didn’t create anywhere near as much as I would’ve liked. Did they deserve to win? Probably on the balance of play.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, C. Morris (Graham 81), Wood, Archer, Harris (Dadswell 53), Payne (Paine 82), G. Morris, Jones, Brand, Brain. Subs not used: Woodley, Linch. Booked: C. Morris.
Saturday 3rd April 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
SEAFORD TOWN 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
A SINGLE goal after a quarter-on-an-hour was sufficient to condemn Westfield to their fifth defeat in six home matches at The Parish Field on Saturday.
While the loss was disappointing, at least the display was a vast improvement on the previous weekend’s 3-0 humbling at the hands of bottom-of-the-table Midhurst & Easebourne.
“I was quite pleased with the performance,” said Westfield joint manager Tony Harris. “I was looking for a reaction and I think we got that. We’re still not where we should be by a long way but it’s a stepping stone.”
The only goal of this mid-table tussle in Sussex Division Two came about when Carl Morris failed to deal with a long ball from the Seaford goalkeeper.
In his haste to rectify the situation, the Westfield defender conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, although Harris admitted he thought it was a penalty.
The ball was swung over to the back post for the unmarked Ben Dartnell to give Dan Foster no chance with a close range header.
In a match of few chances, Westfield’s best moments saw Duncan Jones go close with a lob and Terry Payne fail to make the most of a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Payne also tried his luck with a volley in the second half.
“We did well up to the final third,” Harris went on. “I felt we were a bit unlucky.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Archer, Wood, C. Morris, G. Morris, Harris (Woodley), Brand, Jones, Brain, Payne. Subs not used: Graham, Smith, Hurley.
Saturday 27th March 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
MIDHURST & EASEBOURNE 2
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD’S troubled season plunged to new depths on Saturday with defeat at home to bottom-of-the-table opposition.
What made it worse was that the Parishioners barely created a goalscoring opportunity against a Midhurst side which had conceded 92 goals from its first 25 Sussex County Football League Division Two matches.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “They thoroughly deserved the win. We’re lacking the pace and creativity from the players that are missing, we’re not defending well enough as a team and we’re getting punished.”
Midhurst were a far stronger side than when they lost 4-2 in January’s reverse fixture and Westfield, who made only one enforced change from the team which beat Oakwood seven days previously, were a lot worse.
The visitors missed a great chance to take the lead after two minutes, but they did go in front on the quarter-of-an-hour mark when James Wills intercepted Jamie Podmore’s back header and lobbed Dan Foster.
Lee Wood headed against the outside of a post from a corner, yet the hosts were two-down by half time after they failed to clear their defensive lines and Lewis Hyde fired home a terrific shot from 25 yards.
Westfield’s misery was made complete by a third Midhurst goal around 15 minutes from time. Graham Morris conceded a free kick 25 yards out and Lawrence Hyde picked out the top corner.
The hosts’ only other moment of note against a well-organised Midhurst outfit came when wing-back David Miller was denied by the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Miller, Podmore (C. Morris), Wood, Harris (G. Morris), Graham, Jones, Dadswell, Brand (Fawcett), Payne. Sub not used: Archer.
Saturday 20th March 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 2
OAKWOOD 0
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD celebrated a long overdue victory and clean sheet in the Sussex County Football League on Saturday.
The Parishioners ended a run of six defeats in eight Division Two games and didn’t concede for only the second time since mid-September. They also didn’t pick up any new injuries.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was better. We weren’t great by any stretch in terms of the finished article, but a clean sheet and three points are what we’ve been crying out for.”
Still without several players through injury, Westfield made a number of changes to the side thumped 4-0 at home to Clymping the previous weekend and the return of Lee Wood made a big difference to the defence.
Oakwood, who beat high-riding Loxwood four days beforehand, should have gone 1-0 up early on, but Westfield took the lead after about half-an-hour when Duncan Jones converted a penalty after a foul on Terry Payne.
It was Payne who bagged the killer second goal - and his first since returning to the club last month - with a header at the near post around 20 minutes from time.
Oakwood hit the bar towards the end, but Westfield were worthy winners and Jones, Payne, Martin Brain and David Miller came close to widening their victory margin.
Zac Fawcett, 18, came off the bench for his debut after signing from Hastings United, while Miller made his first senior appearance for some time following injury and Jack Graham enjoyed a good return to the starting XI.
“As a group we defended well, won a lot more second ball than we have done recently and at times played some quite good football,” added Harris, who played his first game for 13 weeks.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Miller (Fawcett), Podmore, Wood, Harris (C. Morris), Graham, Jones (Dadswell), Brain, Brand, Payne.
Saturday 13th March 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
CLYMPING 4
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD’S injury problems deepened still further as they were well beaten at The Parish Field on Saturday.
Richard Saunders broke his foot and Tom Archer hobbled off with hamstring trouble in the first half on top of Peter Baker damaging knee ligaments in training last Thursday night.
If that wasn’t enough, Matt Dadswell, who has been one of Westfield’s top performers this season, was uncharacteristically sent-off in the closing stages of this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It’s difficult at the moment to be fair. We’re looking very one-paced and unfit. We’re having to rush people back that aren’t ready because we’re losing big players consistently. You can carry one or two players that aren’t fully fit, but we’re carrying four or five that aren’t fully fit.”
Although the afternoon ended in bitter disappointment, Westfield actually made a promising start against a Clymping side which had contested a Division Two Challenge Cup semi-final less than 48 hours previously.
They might have been three-up in the opening 20 minutes as Duncan Jones almost scored with a diving header from Lawrence Brand’s free kick and went close from a Dadswell cross, while Archer headed wide. But it all went wrong after Terry Payne lost possession on the edge of the Clymping box following a short corner and the visitors broke away, aided by Saunders falling over, to take the lead through Paul Brown.
David Gaskin added the second on the half-hour and Billy Rayner tucked away a penalty awarded for a foul by Carl Morris. Joe Stokes rounded-off the scoring in the second half.
Lee Wood did well on his return from a back injury, while Dan Foster, who Harris regards as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, again did nothing wrong despite being beaten four times.
“Once they scored there was only one team that was going to win it and we completely capitulated,” said Harris.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley (Ward), Saunders (Miller), Podmore, Archer (Wood), Brand, Morris, Jones, Brain, Dadswell, Payne.
Saturday 6th March 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 3
LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN 5
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
A SPIRITED fightback couldn’t save Westfield from a fourth defeat in six games on Saturday.
The concession of three goals in the opening 31 minutes of an eventful Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture ultimately proved too much to recover from.
A shortage of attacking options as a result of injuries to Andy Garman, Duncan Jones and Danny Woodley appeared to be Westfield’s greatest concern going into the game.
But defensive frailty ultimately proved to be their undoing with all five goals The Parishioners conceded coming from crosses into the box, three of them set-pieces.
Westfield were behind after 10 minutes on a fairly sunny but bitterly cold afternoon at The Parish Field as Alex McKay’s good ball in from the right was nodded home by Matt Windsor.
The visitors, buoyed by beating leaders Loxwood four days previously, then had a good shout for a penalty when Richard Saunders appeared to catch the heels of Jamie Buckett.
Littlehampton doubled their lead in the 27th minute courtesy of a fine header by Windsor from a Gary Young free kick, which probably shouldn’t have been awarded in the first place.
Four minutes later and it was 3-0. Westfield failed to clear another free kick and Idriz Adejoja knocked the ball back in for one time Bognor Regis Town man Matt Russell to turn home.
At that stage supporters may well have been wracking their brains over Westfield’s heaviest home defeats, but they started to get their act together as half time approached.
Martin Brain gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with a tremendous left-foot shot which went in off the underside of the crossbar from Adam Hurley’s cross in the last minute of the half.
Peter Baker got Westfield right back in it 10 minutes into the second half just moments after dragging a shot wide when very well placed from a cut-back by strike partner Brain.
Littlehampton had a second decent penalty shout turned down, again Saunders on Buckett, but went 4-2 ahead in the 67th minute when Russell converted a Jerry Manning centre.
Westfield responded immediately, though, Matt Dadswell continuing his splendid season by powering home a close range header after good work by Baker and Lawrence Brand.
But home hopes of salvaging an improbable point were all but ended in the 77th minute as Windsor restored Town’s two-goal cushion with a header from another corner.
Westfield almost got within one again right at the end only for a cracking header by Dadswell to come back off the crossbar with Baker unable to turn in the rebound.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Saunders, Podmore, Archer, Brand, C. Morris, Dadswell, Brain, Baker, Henham (Harris 76). Subs not used: Graham, Smith, Miller.
Saturday 27th February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
WORTHING UNITED 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
TONY Harris had few complaints after Westfield were edged out by promotion chasing opposition on Saturday.
A first half strike from Paul Elliott condemned The Parishioners to their third defeat in five Sussex County Football League Division Two matches.
Joint manager Harris said: “They’re a good side to be fair, one of the best we’ve played this season. I felt we didn’t play very well first half. We got amongst them a lot more second half and had more possession without looking like we were going to score.”
The decisive moment came on the half-hour mark when the home defence failed to deal with a long ball over the top and Elliott unleashed a magnificent volley into the far top corner.
Worthing had a lot of ball in and around Westfield’s box without managing to add to their tally, while the hosts’ best moment of the first 45 minutes was a half chance for Peter Baker.
Westfield upped their game after the break, keeping and moving the ball much better. They did well up until the final third yet clearcut chances were in short supply.
Matt Dadswell had a shot well saved by former Whitehawk goalkeeper Ross Standen and Westfield might have had a penalty when they thought that the same player was pushed in the back.
Late substitute Duncan Jones saw a header drift wide, while Baker, as ever, delivered some good balls from corners, but it wasn’t to be as Worthing saw the game out in relative comfort.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Saunders, Podmore (Brain), Archer, Brand, Garman, Henham, Woodley (Jones), Baker, Dadswell. Subs not used: C. Morris, Harris.
Saturday 20th February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 2
STORRINGTON 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD celebrated their first home win on Saturday since returning to their Parish Field ground last month.
And this deserved victory went some way to atoning for the disappointment of the previous weekend’s loss to 10-man Clymping in Division Two of the Sussex County League.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was a good win and I felt we thoroughly deserved it. It was a good game if you’re a neutral, it could’ve probably been about 8-5 to us.”
Westfield made five changes to the starting line-up from the Clymping game and an in-form Storrington side probably shaded the first quarter-of-an-hour of an open and entertaining encounter.
Peter Baker had a volley disallowed for offside and Westfield thought they had scored when Matt Dadswell struck the underside of the crossbar only for the linesman to rule that the ball hadn’t crossed the line.
But they did take the lead around the 35-minute mark. Andy Garman burst into the box and stayed on his feet despite being knocked before curling the ball into the far top corner from an angle.
Also during a first half which could have ended 3-3, Danny Woodley missed a decent chance on his return from injury and goalkeeper Dan Foster did well to come out on top in a couple of one-on-one situations.
Storrington equalised fairly early in the second half. Westfield failed to clear their defensive lines properly and the ball was crossed back in for Richard Ayres to beat Foster with a good header.
The Parishioners responded positively, however, keeping the ball well and creating several chances. On another day Woodley could have had a hat-trick and Peter Baker might have had a couple as well.
They went back in front when Baker sent over a corner which Dave Henham headed goalwards and Woodley diverted past the goalkeeper for his fourth goal since an autumn switch from Bexhill United.
Westfield were fairly comfortable thereafter. Storrington inevitably pumped a few balls into the box during the latter stages, but the hosts defended well and looked dangerous on the break.
Jamie Podmore received the man of the match champagne on his first front side start since returning to the club in September. Foster and Woodley also did well, Baker looked quite lively and Garman was his normal self.
Westfield: Foster, Payne, Saunders, Podmore, Archer (C. Morris), Brand, Garman, Henham, Woodley (Parsons), Baker, Dadswell (Brain). Subs not used: Harris, Graham.
Saturday 13th February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
CLYMPING 2
WESTFIELD 0
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
DUNCAN Jones hit out at the “dismal” performance of his Westfield players on Saturday.
The Parishioners were beaten by a side which played the majority of the Sussex County Football League Division Two match with 10 men.
Jones, Westfield’s joint manager, said: “It was probably one of the most dismal displays I’ve ever seen from a Westfield side.
“I’m very protective of my team and my players, and I won’t ever criticise individuals in public, but they all know as a unit that performance was completely unacceptable.”
Just four days after an excellent 1-0 win at Seaford Town, Westfield made a “flat” start according to Jones and conceded a poor goal to Alex Biggs inside three minutes.
But Clymping, last season’s Division Three champions, had Daniel Hand sent-off 10 minutes or so later for dragging down Matt Dadswell when through on goal.
Westfield then spurned two glorious chances, firstly a one-on-one within seconds of the red card and shortly afterwards a shot from inside the six-yard box went over.
But they created hardly anything during the remainder of the first half and showed little quality against a Clymping side which switched to 4-4-1 and defended well.
“We should’ve been level or 2-1 up at half time,” continued Jones, again sidelined through injury, “but all that would’ve done was paper over the cracks.”
As you would expect given their numerical advantage, Westfield did most of the pressing during the second period, but had no real cutting edge and created little of note.
Their frustration was compounded when Clymping grabbed a second near the end when Westfield were pushing on, Aaron Meehan firing into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
“We can go to Seaford, put in a fantastic display and beat a damn good side on their own turf. To then go to Clymping and put in the kind of performance we did sums up our season. It’s three steps forward and two back,” added Jones.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Saunders, Parsons, C. Morris (Brand), Archer (Henham), Oliver, Dadswell, Brain, Baker, Payne. Subs not used: Podmore, Graham.
Tuesday 9th February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
SEAFORD TOWN 0
WESTFIELD 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
INJURY ravaged Westfield celebrated a splendid victory in Division Two of the Sussex County Football League on Tuesday night.
A first half goal from Andy Garman gave The Parishioners all three points against opposition which has beaten four Division One sides in cup competitions this term.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was a very good win considering the amount of players we had missing. It’s never an easy place to go and we’ve always had tough games down there, but all in all we probably deserved it.”
Already without several players through injury, Westfield’s plans were further disrupted when the car of the other joint boss Duncan Jones - also containing Peter Baker and Paul Oliver - collided with a deer en route.
Baker and Oliver made it to the ground three minutes before kick-off, although Jones had to stay with the car. Baker still started the game, but Oliver, who would have lined up alongside him, was on the substitutes’ bench.
Despite the disruption, Westfield dictated play during the first half against a Seaford side perhaps still feeling the effects of going to extra-time in a John O’Hara League Cup game against Wick on Saturday.
They scored the all-important goal when Garman beat his man and took the goalkeeper by surprise with an early shot after a good bit of football between Dave Henham, Adam Hurley and Martin Brain.
Westfield carved out a few other half chances and put Seaford under a lot of pressure during the opening 45 minutes playing some really good football on a cold night at The Crouch.
The visitors knew they would be up against it a bit during the second period, but they still looked lively on the break. Warren Parsons hit the post from a set-piece and Oliver hooked the ball over following good work by Brain.
Westfield were forced to endure a few nervous moments towards the end with the ball flying around their penalty area, but Seaford, whose manager was sent from the dug-out, didn’t unduly trouble goalkeeper Dan Foster.
Carl Morris had a good game at centre-half despite being nowhere near fitness, Richard Saunders enjoyed a decent debut at left-back and Oliver did well after coming on, but this was a real collective effort from the visitors.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Saunders, Parsons, Archer, C. Morris, Garman, Brain, Payne, Baker (Oliver), Henham. Subs not used: Smith, Podmore, Graham.
Saturday 6th February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 1
EAST PRESTON 3
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
A FAST start proved a false down for Westfield on Saturday as they suffered their first defeat at the new-look Parish Field.
The Parishioners took an early lead in this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture only for their opponents to leave with all three points.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was very disappointing. We were hoping to bounce back from the Sidley game (which they lost 3-2 at Gullivers the previous Tuesday) and pick up maximum points, but it wasn’t to be.”
Westfield were very much on the front foot for the first 15 minutes and went ahead through Warren Parsons’ 14th goal of the season after good work from Andy Garman and Peter Baker.
Rather than build on their advantage, however, Westfield began to drop deeper and deeper, struggled to clear their lines and weren’t close enough to put pressure on the second ball.
EP were level by the half time break when a poor clearance from Jack Graham was crossed back into the danger area where it took a couple of ricochets before bouncing into the corner.
Westfield started the second half as they had the first, albeit without finding the net. Parsons had a couple of chances and centre-half Tom Archer struck the crossbar.
EP, 2-1 winners over Westfield in a Sussex Senior Cup second round tie at Hastings United’s Pilot Field ground on Sunday November 1, struck on the break to go 2-1 ahead.
Westfield thought they had equalised only for Baker’s strike to be disallowed for offside and their fate was sealed by a third EP goal as they were pushing forward near the end.
The home team actually finished the match with nine fit players because Matt Dadswell went off injured after all three substitutions had been made and Archer was hobbling around up-front.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham, Wood (C. Morris), Archer, Brand, Garman, Dadswell, W. Parsons (Jones), Baker, Henham (Brain). Subs not used: Podmore, Saunders
Tuesday 2nd February 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
SIDLEY UNITED 3
WESTFIELD 2
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
TONY Harris felt that defensive mistakes were to blame as Westfield lost a competitive derby on Tuesday night.
The Parishioners were beaten for the first time in 2010 at the hands of top three opposition with Kenny Pogue’s hat-trick the decisive factor.
Joint manager Harris said: “I think they had the better of the game, the only thing that grates on us is that we gave them three soft goals. Their good football hasn’t carved us apart for the goals.”
The opening 20 minutes or so of this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture on a Gullivers mudbath were fairly evenly contested.
But Sidley got on top as the half wore on, albeit without really troubling Dan Foster in the away goal, despite the conditions lending themselves to Westfield’s more direct approach than Sidley’s passing game.
Sidley made all the running at the start of the second half and went ahead in the 58th minute when Foster, who has had a fine season, completely missed Sean Kelly’s cross under pressure from Allan McMinigal and Pogue was left with a simple tap-in.
Pogue bagged his and Sidley’s second seven minutes later with an accurate left-foot drive into the bottom corner after Kevin Rose’s header from a McMinigal corner was brilliantly headed off the line by Duncan Jones.
Sidley appeared to be cruising, but Warren Parsons gave Westfield hope with his 13th goal of the season in the 67th minute, stabbing home from a Peter Baker free kick within two minutes of being pushed up-front from defence.
Suddenly it was game on again and Lawrence Brand blazed over from another Baker free kick, but Sidley restored their two-goal cushion with Pogue’s third in the 79th minute.
The striker latched onto a ball down the right, rounded Foster as he charged off his line, and although his first effort was blocked on the line by Brand, Pogue tucked away the rebound.
Westfield didn’t give up, though, and the excellent set-piece deliveries of Baker continued to cause problems even if the visitors created little of note from open play.
Parsons went close to his second from one Baker corner before Matt Dadswell set up a nervous finish by nodding in an 88th minute free kick from the same player, whose delivery from dead ball situations was described by Harris as among the best in the county.
“I think at 2-1 I did fancy us to get something and had the game gone on a bit longer I fancied us, especially from set-pieces,” added Harris, who singled out Parsons and Andy Garman for special praise.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham, Parsons, Archer, Brand, Garman, Dadswell, Jones (Wood), Baker, G. Morris (Harris (Brain)). Subs not used: Saunders, C. Morris.
Saturday 30th January 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 1
LOXWOOD 1
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD achieved a creditable draw against table-topping opposition on their return to The Parish Field on Saturday.
The Sussex County League Division Two match was the first to be played in the village since the clubhouse was destroyed by fire back in September.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “I guess before the game I would’ve been happy with a point, but after the game, having been 1-0 up, I was a bit disappointed.
“To be fair, on the balance of play a draw was a fair result. I was quite pleased with how we did. We battled hard and I was pleased with the effort. We all dug in together.”
Harris felt that Westfield, who named an unchanged starting line-up from the 4-2 win at Midhurst & Easebourne a week previously, gave the opposition too much space and played too deep during the opening quarter-of-an-hour.
But they gradually got into the game and probably had the better of the second quarter, taking a 40th minute lead through a tremendous free kick from Peter Baker.
Harris believed that Westfield more than held their own during the second half and that Loxwood didn’t particularly look like scoring until Nick Branch popped up with the equaliser a quarter-of-an-hour from time.
The play was quite end-to-end and there was a lot of effort from both teams, but neither really looked like forcing a winner during the closing stages.
Westfield’s best efforts apart from the goal were another Baker free kick which struck the post and Andy Garman, who had another good game in the hole, seeing a one-on-one attempt saved. Lawrence Brand had a good game at the back and Martin Brain did well after coming on.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham, Parsons, Archer, Brand, Garman, Jones (Brain), Henham, Baker, Dadswell (Harris).
Saturday 23rd January 2010
Sussex County League Division Two
MIDHURST & EASEBOURNE 2
WESTFIELD 4
by Simon Newstead of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD put a prolonged period of inactivity behind them with a comfortable victory on Saturday.
The Parishioners were far too strong for Sussex County Football League Division Two’s bottom club in their first game since Boxing Day.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “Four-two I felt flattered them, seven-one would probably have been fair. They didn’t give up and made us work for it, but to be honest they weren’t a good side and it was probably a good game to come back into.”
Westfield fell behind after 10 minutes, however, when Dave Henham, returning after a break to rest nagging injuries, left his attempted back header short and Sean Dummer pounced.
The visitors needed to dig in and they did, creating four or five good opportunities with Duncan Jones and Tom Archer going close as Peter Baker’s superbly delivered set-pieces caused problems.
Indeed, it was from a fantastic cross by Baker that Jones, brought back from a fractured foot slightly earlier than Westfield ideally would have liked due to Danny Woodley being injured, headed home the equaliser at the near post.
Westfield spent the majority of the second half camped in Midhurst territory and took the lead around the hour mark with Jones claiming he got a touch to Baker’s free kick from the left which appeared to go straight in.
Jack Graham tapped in number three at the far post from another Baker cross and Westfield, 7-0 winners over Midhurst in a Division Two Challenge Cup tie at The Parish Field back in September, then added a magnificent fourth goal.
From defending a set-piece, Lawrence Brand won the ball and played it up the line to Baker. Andy Garman then picked out Matt Dadswell, who controlled on his chest and surged past the defender in one motion before executing a sublime lob over the goalkeeper.
Westfield made some changes and seemed to take their foot off the pedal after that, allowing Midhurst back into it. Dan Foster made one very good save, but Luke Sheldrick pulled one back with a free header at a corner.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham (Saunders), Brand, Parsons, Archer, Garman, Jones (Smith), Henham (Morris), Dadswell, Baker. Sub not used: Parris.
Saturday 26th December 2009
Sussex County League Division Two
RYE UNITED 1
WESTFIELD 2
THERE was little in the way of seasonal goodwill as Westfield claimed the points from an ultra-competitive and, at times, very niggly derby at The Salts on Boxing Day.
Two Rye United players were given their marching orders during a hectic finale to this Sussex County League Division Two tussle played for the most part in driving rain.
Substitutes Jimmy Watson and Nathan Gooden both saw red but others could easily have joined them in taking an early bath for far more serious offences.
The feisty nature of the contest also showed itself at the final whistle as Rye boss Scott Price and opposite number Duncan Jones were spotted barging into one another as they trudged across the pitch towards the officials, although the pair later shook hands.
As for the football, Westfield deserved to come away with the points for a determined display which negated their higher-placed hosts for long spells.
Going with a 3-4-3 formation which saw midfielder Lawrence Brand control things at the back, the Parishioners stood up well against the considerable threat offered by the likes of former Westfield ace Dominic Clarke, strike partner Danny Leach and the mercurial Duncan McArthur.
The opening exchanges were typical of a local derby as both sides flew into the tackle - some legitimate, some quite clearly not. The game needed a goal and Danny Woodley, who had earlier escaped without a booking for an ugly-looking lunge on Shaun Loft, broke the deadlock just before the half hour.
Loft was harried into conceding possession some 25 yards out from goal, and Woodley, who started the season with Rye, wasted no time in unleashing a superbly-struck half volley which arrowed beyond the dive of Jon Gardner and nestled in the far corner of the net.
Rye almost hit back in their very next attack when a McArthur free kick was spilled by Dan Foster but fortunately for the fit-again goalkeeper, no-one was on hand to convert the loose ball.
The next time they really troubled the Westfield goal was some 12 minutes into the second half, Clarke heading over at the back post from McArthur’s cross. Soon after Leach had a shot blocked by a defender.
At the other end, Gardner pulled off an excellent fingertip save to deny Peter Baker only for Westfield to double their advantage from the resultant corner. Baker’s kick was swung over to the far post where Tom Archer, who had a solid game at the back, got up highest to power a downward header which was adjudged to have crossed the line before being cleared.
Rye tried to rally and Sam Cole came desperately close to pulling a goal back before Warren Parsons had a header blocked on the line after the home defence was again found wanting at a set-piece. Marc Gall and Ben Ridgway then tried their luck from distance while Loft just failed to get a touch on Ridgway’s deep cross.
The Quarterboys’ hopes of getting back into the game seemed lost when Watson was shown a straight red card for a foul on Andy Garman, a punishment that seemed harsh in comparison to some of the incidents that went unchecked in the match.
They were given a lifeline, however, with three minutes of normal time remaining, Leach tapping home after Foster failed to gather a McArthur shot which had taken a slight but significant deflection.
With Rye chasing the game there was always the danger that they would be left short at the back and this brought about Godden’s dismissal, the defender upending Garman as he raced clear on goal.
A bitterly-disappointed Price felt Westfield came with a gameplan and it paid dividends. “They tried to get us rattled and fair play to them it worked,” he said. “It was a very spiteful game and I felt 75 per cent of it was from Westfield.”
He had no complaints about the sending-off of Godden but thought Watson was unlucky to be dismissed. “If that was a red card then there should have been five players left on the pitch,” he went on. “But that’s not why we lost because we were 2-0 down when Jimmy was sent-off.”
Jones was delighted with how his players stood up to the threat posed by Rye. “You have to earn the right to play football and that’s what we haven’t done recently,” he said. “There was only one team in it. On the day we outbattled them and played the better football.”
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham, Archer, Brand, Harris, Garman, Dadswell, W. Parsons, Baker, D. Woodley (Brain). Subs not used: Jones, Oliver, Morris, Podmore
Saturday 12th December 2009
Sussex County League Division Two
LANCING 4
WESTFIELD 3
IT WAS raining goals during the second half as Westfield lost out in a thriller at Culver Road on Saturday.
All seven goals came after the interval as The Parishioners failed to build on the previous weekend’s win at Southwick in Division Two of the Sussex County Football League.
Joint manager Duncan Jones said: “It was like two completely different games. At half time we were completely in control of the game, they hadn’t really troubled us.
“On another day we would have quite comfortably come away with the three points, but as a team we didn’t defend well enough. We’re conceding too many goals.”
Lancing opened the scoring with a shot from Darren Boswell which Jones felt Peter Newstead – Westfield’s sixth different goalkeeper in as many matches – would have saved had he been playing regularly (it was only his second senior appearance since April 2008).
Minutes later and suddenly out of nowhere Westfield, 1-0 winners in the reverse fixture on the opening day, were two-down as Boswell bagged his second with the aid of a deflection.
Warren Parsons then struck his 12th goal of the season to pull it back to 2-1 and Jones believed
at that stage there was only going to be one winner. “It was all us,” he continued.
But Lancing restored their two-goal cushion when Boswell completed his hat-trick after latching onto a long ball over the top and leaving Lee Wood for dead with his electric pace.
An Andy Garman screamer pulled it back to 3-2 and, as well as missing a sitter to equalise, Jones was convinced Westfield should have been given a penalty rather than a free kick.
Instead, Lancing made it 4-2 when Boswell left two defenders on the deck and squared for Shaun Skipper to apply the finish. Wood reduced the deficit to one again, but it wasn’t enough.
Lancing played the final few minutes with 10 men after Ryan Loversidge was sent-off. Jones wouldn’t go into details about the incident, merely saying “it was for something absolutely disgusting”.
“If we had shown the sort of commitment we showed in the last 20 minutes during the first half, they wouldn’t have been in the game at half time,” added a frustrated Jones.”
Westfield: Newstead, Hurley, Graham, Archer (K. Parsons), Wood, Brand, Woodley, G. Morris (Garman), W. Parsons, Dadswell, Brain. Sub not used: Harris.
Saturday 5th December 2009
Sussex County League Division Two
SOUTHWICK 1
WESTFIELD 2
A CHANGE of system brought about a change in fortune for Westfield Football Club on Saturday.
The switch to a 3-4-3 formation helped The Parishioners end a run of nine defeats from 11 matches in all competitions.
Joint manager Duncan Jones said: “We changed things round a bit, and there was passion, aggression - everything that had been missing over the last few weeks.”
Westfield made a good start to a Sussex County League Division Two match played in horrible conditions of wind and rain, taking the lead after around 20 minutes.
The goal came direct from a corner which was whipped in at pace by Jack Graham and flew straight into the top corner for the left-sided player’s second of the campaign.
Southwick, who had also lost nine of their previous 11 games, didn’t really trouble Westfield during the first half other than a break down the right which they could have scored from.
The visitors began the second half with the same high tempo and soon doubled their advantage through Matt Dadswell, who scored twice in October’s reverse fixture which ended 3-1.
Dadswell, who is enjoying a very good season, followed up to score after Warren Parsons’ angled drive from a lovely little touch by Martin Brain was well saved by the goalkeeper.
Westfield looked in control from that point onwards despite the very heavy Old Barn Way pitch and Brain had a really good chance to have put the game to bed at 3-0.
Instead, the hosts got themselves a lifeline by pulling it back to 2-1 in controversial fashion as Jones claimed that James Wotherspoon “punched the ball into the net with both hands”.
Referee Richard Daniells found himself surrounded by furious Westfield players, although Jones said to his credit he did aplogise to them after the final whistle.
The goal set up a nervous last 10 minutes and Westfield started to drop deeper and deeper. But they survived a few half chances and little scrambles to secure three very welcome points.
“We’ve done a lot of work on the training pitch and the players were absolutely tremendous. I can’t remember coming away from Southwick with a result,” added Jones, who singled out Tom Archer and Danny Woodley for special praise.
Westfield: Constable, Hurley, Graham, Archer, Wood, Brand, Dadswell, G. Morris, Woodley, W. Parsons, Brain (Harris). Subs not used: Baker, K. Parsons.
Sunday 22nd November
Sussex County League Division Two
WESTFIELD 0
WEALDEN 2
THE miserable weather pretty much summed up this match as Westfield’s poor run continued in the wind and rain on Sunday.
Two first half goals at The Pilot Field - the home of Hastings United - condemned the Westies to a ninth defeat in 11 fixtures.
Although Westfield felt they were on the receiving end of one or two debatable refereeing decisions, they could have few complaints about the result as Wealden moved up to third in Division Two of the Sussex County Football League.
Wealden went ahead midway through the first half when a long ball from near the halfway line picked out Dan Turner, lurking on the right hand edge of the box, and his low centre across the six-yard-box was tucked home by Chris Hickman.
Moments later Andy McDowell should have doubled the lead after racing clear of the last man but his finish flashed the wrong side of the near post.
They didn’t have to wait long to claim a second, however, because on 28 minutes McDowell delivered a great cross from the left and the unmarked Turner directed a well-placed header beyond the grasp of Dan Foster.
Stafford Browne - who along with another former Hastings player in Wez Lopez was back on familiar territory - wasted a glorious opportunity to kill off the game early in the second half when he blazed over a penalty awarded for Foster’s trip on Turner.
Westfield had a strong claim for a penalty of their own when Warren Parsons appeared to be bundled over by Shaun Grice but referee Matthew Goldsmith waved away the appeals.
The decision left Westfield seething and for the remainder of the match they upped the tempo with Andy Garman finally bringing a point blank save out of Ashley Kirrage in the closing minutes.
Westfield joint manager Tony Harris said: “I felt we should have had a penalty but that wasn’t why we lost, we lost because we conceded two cheap goals. What frustrated me the most was they were two up without having to do anything special.”
Eight yellow cards were dished out including five for Westfield players.
Westfield: Foster (Drinkwater), Hurley (Morris), Graham (Miller), Wood, Archer, Brand, Parsons, Dadswell, Woodley, Baker, Garman. Subs not used: Harris, Smith.
Saturday 14th November
Sussex County League Division Two
STEYNING TOWN 2
WESTFIELD 1
WESTFIELD failed to build on the previous weekend’s win at Rustington as they were disappointingly beaten on Saturday.
The Parishioners suffered an eighth defeat in 10 matches against a side struggling towards the foot of Division Two in the Sussex County Football League.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was a frustrating day at the office. They’re a better side than their league position, but we went there expecting to win.”
With Dan Foster not prepared to risk his back and no other goalkeeper available, midfielder Adam Hurley took over the gloves on a windy afternoon at the Shooting Field.
Steyning had the benefit of the conditions during the first half and scored two goals from Westfield’s mistakes, although there was nothing Hurley could have done about either of them.
The stand-in goalkeeper didn’t really have any other shots to save on a pitch which wasn’t too bad considering all the rain that had fallen in the run up to the match.
Warren Parsons, returning to the attacking role he has occupied for much of the season having played at the back against Rustington, pulled one back just before half time.
It was his 11th goal of the season, but first since the 2-1 defeat to Clymping in a Division Two Challenge Cup at Eastbourne Borough’s Priory Lane ground on October 10.
Westfield’s leading scorer also missed a great chance in the first half when he fired over after making space for himself and another in the second when he headed over from six yards following a good cross by Lawrence Brand.
Danny Woodley again worked hard up-front, but Westfield were too direct with the wind behind them in the second half, and besides the Parsons chance, a long range shot from Matt Dadswell was about their only other effort of note. Peter Baker played his first full game for some time.
Westfield: Hurley, K. Parsons (Miller), Graham, Archer, Wood, Brand, S. Smith, Dadswell, Woodley, W. Parsons, Baker. Subs not used: Harris, Parris.
Sunday 7th November
Sussex County League Division Two
RUSTINGTON 3
WESTFIELD 6
JOINT Westfield manager Duncan Jones scored a hat-trick on Saturday despite suffering from a fractured foot.
Jones, who scored with the same injury for Hastings Town (now United) 10 years ago, had a bit of discomfort before the game but decided to play after consulting physio John Holland.
He woke up in pain on Sunday morning, however, and after struggling in to work on Monday, decided to go to casualty on Monday evening when the extent of the problem was established.
Jones now faces 6-8 weeks on the sidelines, adding to a Westfield injury list which he says is the longest he has seen in his time in football, both as a player and manager.
Westfield opened the scoring four minutes into this remarkable Sussex County Football League Division Two clash when Jones tapped home after good work from Danny Woodley.
James Bennett equalised for Rustington at the end of a good move down the left, but Jones restored Westfield’s lead with a contentious penalty awarded for a foul on Adam Hurley.
The impressive Woodley then scored his first goal for the club in only his second appearance and Jones made it 4-1 inside 35 minutes with a 35-yard screamer to complete his treble.
Westfield, who had lost seven of their previous eight games, then started to drop deep and Stephen Kirkham pulled one back, although Rustington had Brett Neal sent-off before half time.
Lee Wood made it 5-2 with a header for his first goal of the season. James Butt then got Rustington back within two only for Woodley to seal Westfield’s victory with his second.
Jones said: “Danny Woodley has come in and been fantastic. He works tirelessly, his movement was superb, he was running at defenders and taking shots on early. We looked like scoring every time we went forward and it could’ve been comfortably 10, we missed four easy chances.
“The greatest criticism, other than we need to tighten up, was that at times we were overplaying. We want to win games, but we want to win them in a certain way and we’re playing some great football.”
With no less than four goalkeepers injured or unavailable, Steve Drinkwater made his first appearance between the posts for Westfield in several seasons.
Westfield:Drinkwater, W. Parsons, Graham, Wood, Henham (K. Parsons), Brand, Hurley (Baker), Jones, Woodley, Dadswell, Garman.Sub not used:Podmore.
Sunday 1st November 2009
Sussex Senior Cup 2nd Round
WESTFIELD 1
EAST PRESTON 2
WESTFIELD joint manager Tony Harris blamed lapses in concentration for their Sussex Senior Cup exit on Sunday.
The Parishioners suffered their seventh defeat from eight matches in an all-Sussex County League Division Two second round tie at a wet and windy Pilot Field.
Harris said: “I felt that we gave away two sloppy goals which were really disappointing and it’s just a concentration thing. I think we’re playing better football than we have done before, but we do go to sleep and we got punished for it.
Westfield’s preparations weren’t helped by goalkeeper Dan Foster, who has been in fine form so far this season, dropping out after sustaining a back injury in the warm-up.
Tim Linch stepped in and did a good job, and Westfield started the match quite brightly against an East Preston side they drew 0-0 with away from home in the league during August.
But they fell behind in the 28th minute when they didn’t react to the loose ball after Linch saved from Terry Dodd and the EP striker was first to react to the rebound.
The visitors, who lost two players to injury in the first half, doubled their lead within four minutes of the restart as Tom Paine sent over a low cross from the right which Kevin Budge converted.
Westfield pulled one back not long afterwards when joint boss Duncan Jones tucked away a penalty after Andy Garman was brought down by Nathan Da Costa from a Lawrence Brand pass.
Jones, who linked up quite well with debutant Danny Woodley, was denied by EP goalkeeper Paul Williamson when through, while Matt Dadswell and Lee Wood also had good chances.
But the away team held on to set up a trip to reigning Division One champions Eastbourne United AFC in the last 16.
“Based on chances we deserved to get something out of the game,” added Harris. “The last 20 minutes we dominated, but we can’t keep giving teams two-goal head starts.”
Westfield: Linch, Harris, Graham, Wood, Henham, Brand, Hurley (Baker), Jones, Woodley, Dadswell, Garman. Subs not used: Archer, Miller, Parris.
OAKWOOD 2
WESTFIELD 1
A DEBUT goal from Kingsley Parsons wasn’t enough to prevent Westfield being beaten on Saturday.
The defender, signed during the preceding week from Sidley United, equalised during the first half of this Sussex County Football League Division Two fixture.
Joint manager Duncan Jones said: “He had a superb debut and delivered the kind of performance we knew he was capable of. He’s a quality centre-back, he was strong in the tackle and calm on the ball.”
But this was very much a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Westfield because they faded badly in the second half after a very good first 45 minutes.
“For the first 45 minutes,” continued Jones, “I saw the beginning of the side me and Tony (fellow joint boss Tony Harris) have been trying to put together.
“The second 45 I saw everything that has been bad about the side over the last season, we just didn’t come out in the second half.”
Despite being without eight or nine players, mainly through injury, The Parishioners shifted the ball well kicking up the slope and into the wind during the first half.
But they fell behind when Tom Archer gave away a soft penalty and Chris Williams made no mistake for an Oakwood side now in the top six following its relegation last term.
Archer made amends, though, by winning a header at a set-piece which led to Parsons, whose twin brother Warren is Westfield’s 10-goal leading scorer, making it 1-1.
In the second half, the visitors stopped doing the things they did in the first half and fell behind again when Kieron Purkis stabbed home after Westfield failed to deal with a corner.
Having let the pace drop, Westfield then found it difficult to pick it up again, and although they had a few half-chances, they were too direct. and things broke down too easily.
“That side was easily good enough to dispatch Oakwood and they showed it in the first 45 minutes,” added Jones, who wants to improve the fitness and concentration levels of his players– two areas he feels are closely linked. He also singled out Adam Hurley for special mention.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley, Graham, Archer (Miller), K. Parsons, Henham, Garman (Carey), Jones (Stiles), W. Parsons, Dadswell, Brand.
SIDLEY UNITED 1
WESTFIELD 0
after extra-time
by SIMON NEWSTEAD of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD’S walking wounded suffered a painful extra-time loss against their neighbours on Tuesday night.
The Parishioners lost centre-halves Dave Henham and Lee Wood to injury at half time, as well as Warren Parsons 10 minutes from the end of normal time.
After that, Martin Brain suffered a broken nose in a challenge with Danny Spice and defender Carl Morris had to go up-front because he was struggling to run.
Joint manager Duncan Jones said: “We ended up playing with eight or nine men. One-nil in extra-time with a really mix and match side by the end of it, I’m not overly disappointed.”
The only goal of a keenly contested if not particularly memorable Hastings & District FA Senior Cup first round tie came seven minutes from the end of the additional half-hour.
Westfield were caught out by a short corner on the Sidley left, and although Allan McMinigal's half hit shot was going wide, Matt Darby produced a clever flick to turn the ball in off the far post.
“Two men always close down a short corner,” continued Jones, “and only one went. First half we started off incredibly well and Garmo (Andy Garman) was unplayable, but I don’t think we played anywhere near as well as we could do.”
While never dominant during a game high on effort but low on quality, Sidley seemed to have the edge and certainly had the chances to have won it in normal time.
As well as McMinigal rattling the crossbar with a free kick, The Blues squandered two gilt-edged chances during the first half, one of which saw Westfield goalkeeper Dan Foster deny Darby when he seemed certain to score.
In the second half, Foster saved from the lively Jason Taylor, 10-goal Kenny Pogue again missed the target with only Foster to beat and Foster made a smart tip over from his own defender Tom Archer.
Westfield worked commendably hard and stayed the course pretty well considering the injuries and that they’d played Southwick in the league just two days previously.
But they only really threatened Paul Nessling’s goal once when substitute Jones struck a post during the first half of extra-time.
Westfield: Foster, C. Morris, Graham, Henham (Miller), Wood (Archer), Brand, Garman, Hurley, Parsons (Jones), Dadswell, Brain. Subs not used: Stiles, Harris.
WESTFIELD 3
SOUTHWICK 1
by SIMON CAREY of The Hastings Observer
TWO fine strikes from Matt Dadswell saw Westfield clinch a long-awaited and much-needed win at The Pilot Field on Sunday.
Since fire had gutted their Parish Field base The Westies had lost their last four matches so victory was essential to get their season back on track.
They certainly deserved the points but had to wait until the final 20 minutes to make the breakthrough in this Sussex Division Two contest at the home of Hastings United.
The clock was ticking down when the impressive Jack Graham delivered a deep cross into the Southwick box where Duncan Jones headed down for Dadswell, pictured above, to sweep home on the half volley.
That goal was good but Dadswell’s second just seven minutes later was even better. Picking the ball up some 30 yards out the midfielder took a couple strides before unleashing a rising shot which flashed beyond the dive of goalkeeper Marc Hildersley. Think Patrick Vieira’s goal against Newcastle United in Arsenal’s 1997/98 double-winning season and you get the picture.
Moments later Jones made sure of the win with a simple finish after selfless play by Warren Parsons.
Southwick pulled a goal back through Ryan Walton.
The game took a while to get going and the brightest moments of the first half came from Andy Garman making his first appearance since re-signing from Rye United. Playing wide on the right, he looked bright and linked up well with Jones.
Garman, however, wasted possibly the best chance of the first half by lashing wide of the near post following a good move.
Westfield upped the tempo in the second period with Jones and Dadswell both trying their luck from just outside the box. Parsons was then guilty of a bad miss from close range before a mazy run by Garman set up Jones but his shot smacked off the head of a defender.
Parsons and Dadswell again went close while, at the other end, Dan Foster did just enough to put off Walton when clear on goal.
Westfield: Foster, C. Morris, Graham, Henham, Wood, Brand, Garman (Stiles), Jones, Parsons, Dadswell, Brain. Subs not used: Harris, Miller, Archer, Baker.
RYE UNITED 3
WESTFIELD 0
by SIMON NEWSTEAD of the Hastings Observer
WESTFIELD made a limp exit from the Sussex County FA RUR Charity Cup to their local rivals on Tuesday night.
The Parishioners turned in an uninspired performance and were easily condemned to their fourth straight defeat in a strangely low key second round tie at The Salts.
Joint manager Tony Harris admitted: “It was generally just disappointing because the first 15 minutes we settled quite well.”
Westfield carried precious little threat up-front, were devoid of creativity in midfield, in need of an injection of pace and didn’t look fit enough as a side on a perfect night for football.
Much can and probably will change before the season’s end, but on this evidence at least there must be some doubt over whether they can maintain their proud run of consecutive top half finishes in Division Two of the Sussex County League.
Luke Woodley put Rye ahead after 10 minutes, playing a good one-two with Danny Leach on the right before driving into the box and shooting across Dan Foster into the far bottom corner.
The same player doubled Rye’s lead a quarter-of-an-hour later by slotting home after the ball ran loose from a challenge between Jimmy Watson and Foster over Dominic Clarke’s through ball.
After an open first half in which there were one or two further half chances at either end, the second half was a bit of a non-event with Westfield never threatening a comeback.
Clarke and Sam Cole went close for Rye prior to Clarke emphatically heading home Ricky Martin’s 76th minute cross against the club he served with much distinction for several seasons.
Ten-goal Warren Parsons then skied Westfield’s first genuine chance well over the crossbar and Sean Smith had the ball in the net late on only for play to be pulled back for a foul on the rampaging David Miller.
Westfield: Foster, Miller, C. Morris, Henham, Wood, Harris (Smith), Brand, Dadswell, Parsons, Carey (Graham), Brain. Subs not used: Ridgway, Stiles, Jones.
WESTFIELD 1
CLYMPING 2
by SIMON CAREY of the Hastings Observer
THE prestige of playing at a Blue Square Premier ground failed to inspire Westfield as they tumbled out of the Sussex County League Division Two Challenge Cup.
In the wake of the fire which had rendered their base unusable, the homeless Parishioners accepted the offer of Eastbourne Borough to play this second round tie at Priory Lane on Saturday.
The excitement of turning out on a pitch which usually hosts a much higher level of football seemed to get to both sides and the contest lacked the anticipated enterprise, energy and urgency.
The game’s so-called visitors settled the better and only a smart block by goalkeeper Dan Foster prevented Dan Barnard from giving them the lead inside three minutes.
Richard Ghent also went close with a header as Westfield struggled to make an impression.
It took some 25 minutes for them to finally threaten when a good move near the right corner flag saw Lawrence Brand whip the ball towards the far post where Tony Harris, under pressure from his marker, was unable to direct his header.
Soon after, Warren Parsons dispossessed Colin Moss and following a quick interchange of passes Brand let fly from the edge of the box, forcing a decent fingertip save out of Michael Oakley.
Duncan Jones also headed over from Jack Graham’s corner before Clymping snatched the lead in the fourth minute of added time at the end of the first half, Joe Shelley making no mistake after Westfield had failed to clear down their left flank.
Within six minutes of the start of the second half they were back on level terms. A neat exchange between Harris and Jones saw the ball delivered into the box where Parsons hooked home from close range.
Foster saved well from Shelley but there was nothing he could do to prevent Paul Brown scoring with a dipping half volley on 57 minutes.
Not long after, Parsons should have tied things up again but completely miscued six yards out.
Other than a Jones header beaten out by Oakley, Westfield struggled to apply any sort of pressure in the closing stages and only a terrible injury time miss by Jan Miller prevented Clymping from enjoying a far more comfortable margin of victory.
Harris, also Westfield’s joint manager, said: “On clearcut chances we possibly shaded it but we didn’t really do enough. It’s a real shame because it was a competition we were hoping to do well in.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller (Johnson), Graham (Carey), Morris, Wood, Harris (Brain), Dadswell, Jones, Parsons, Henham, Brand. Sub not used: Ward.
LOXWOOD 5 WESTFIELD 1
WESTFIELD suffered a second half collapse as they were well beaten in the far corner of the county on Saturday.
The Parishioners conceded four times after the break in a wind-affected Sussex County Football League Division Two encounter.
Joint manager Tony Harris said: “It was one of those games we want to put behind us and lock away, not dwell on it but obviously learn from it.
“We just fell apart in the second half. We’ve got some big characters, but as a squad we didn’t stand up when we were on the back foot.”
Westfield actually did okay during the first half and were just as much of a threat as a Loxwood side which has won all of its five league games since an opening day defeat to Rye United.
Alan Johnson had a one-on-one opportunity saved and the visitors were one-down at the break to what Harris described as an “iffy” 24th minute penalty converted by Christopher Simmons.
But Westfield were very poor during the second period and their deficit was doubled by an Istvan Gulyas goal which they felt had more than a hint of offside about it.
Damon Aston then scored the third almost straightaway and Westfield, for whom Lee Wood played despite having ‘flu the preceding week, became a bit ragged. Loxwood’s final two goals, scored by Nicholas Branch and Kevin Broad, came while Westfield, who lost in-form winger Sean Smith to a knee injury, were chasing the game.
Martin Brain, Smith’s replacement, scored Westfield’s consolation when they were 4-0 down, going past two defenders before shooting into the bottom corner.
“Second half they by far deserved to win,” added Harris, “but they weren’t 5-1 better than us. Any team that loses five or six of their key players is at some point going to come unstuck.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham (C. Morris), Henham, Wood, Harris, Johnson, Jones (Carey), Parsons, Brand, Smith (Brain).
WESTFIELD 1
WICK 3
by SIMON NEWSTEAD of the Hastings Observer
TONY Harris felt that Westfield gave a good account of themselves as a new chapter at the club began on Saturday.
The Parishioners gave higher grade opposition a run for their money in the first match after their clubhouse was destroyed by fire.
They took a first half lead at Hastings United’s Pilot Field ground, but two second half goals, the last of which was in added time, killed them off.
Harris, Westfield’s joint manager, said: “I think we did give a good account of ourselves, especially first half. Everyone worked hard and did well.
“Second half we dropped a bit too deep and they kept the ball well when they had a chance to play, but even then we still could’ve got something out of the game.”
The first half of this Sussex County League John O’Hara League Cup second round tie between Division Two side Westfield and Division One leaders Wick was fairly even.
Westfield goalkeeper Dan Foster denied Scott Murfin in the fourth minute and George Gaskin struck the base of post seven minutes later when one-on-one with Foster. But Wick goalkeeper Alex Bryant allowed Alan Johnson’s innocuous cross to slip through his hands and legs, gifting Warren Parsons his ninth goal of the season in the 32nd minute.
Martin Brain came close to doubling Westfield’s lead four minutes later, yet his angled effort after rounding Bryant from Lawrence Brand’s pass rolled across the face of goal.
Wick equalised in the 45th minute when Philip Turner played in the impressive Murfin to smash past Foster following a poor ball by Brand inside the Westfield half.
The West Sussex team went ahead in the 61st minute as Gaskin’s shot from inside the D was going wide, but went straight to Turner who controlled and slotted home.
Foster then saved low to his right from Ben Torode and Dan Swain blazed over when well placed from Turner’s cut-back as Wick seemed to be taking a firm grasp on the tie.
But Matt Dadswell had a chance at the other end following good work by debutant Dave Carey, who was then thwarted by Bryant after the goalkeeper miskicked straight to him.
Wick made sure of their place in the next round in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Dave Henham’s challenge falling kindly for Simon Clayton who ran through and finished coolly.
It is worth pointing out that Westfield were without several players, particularly going forward, while Wick made four changes to their starting line-up of the previous weekend.
“I felt they scored at crucial times,” added Harris. “We could’ve gone in 1-0 up at half time and it just shows there’s not a huge gulf between the two (divisions).
“Hastings United have been fantastic in how far they’ve stepped forward for us. It’s a lovely pitch and great facilities here. We can’t thank them highly enough.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham, Henham, Wood, Harris, Johnson (Carey), Dadswell, Parsons (Hurley), Brand, Brain (Stiles). Sub not used: Ward.
WESTFIELD 7
MIDHURST & EASEBOURNE 0
WARREN Parsons scored a first half hat-trick as Westfield banged in a magnificent seven goals on Saturday.
The powerful target man, who was generally used as a defender at previous club Bexhill United, has scored eight goals already this season for a team he joined in the summer.
Joint boss Duncan Jones said: “He’s scoring goals for fun at the moment. There are things he’s got to work on, but as a striker myself, you can see he’s going to be a proper player up-front.”
Jones warned his players in the build-up to the match that this Sussex County Football League Division Two Challenge Cup first round tie was a potential banana skin.
Westfield were sitting fourth in the league having won their previous two matches, one of which was against Division One side Ringmer, while Midhurst were yet to pick up a point.
And his players responded, opening the scoring through Parsons within 14 seconds and going on to establish a five-goal lead by half time, at which stage the match was effectively over.
“The attitude from my boys was absolutely on the button,” continued Jones. “They treated Midhurst with the respect they deserved, but outbattled them and outplayed them.
“We were solid as a unit from front to back. We won 7-0 and didn’t really play that great. We took a lot of chances, but still could’ve scored more. There’s still so much more to come from this side.”
In addition to Parsons’ treble, Sean Smith netted for the third successive game, while Jones, Graham Morris and David Miller opened their accounts for the season, the latter with a 45-yard screamer.
“The Midhurst players’ attitude was absolutely bang on. They never stopped trying and never got on each others’ backs,” added Jones, who said he feels for Tony Minoldo who is understood to have since been sacked as Midhurst manager.
Westfield: Newstead, Miller, Graham, Wood, Henham (G. Morris), Harris, Smith (Ward), Jones, Parsons, Dadswell (Brain), Brand.
LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN 0
WESTFIELD 1
SEAN Smith enhanced his hopes for a regular place in the Westfield side with another winning goal on Saturday.
The greyhound-quick wide midfielder, whose first team opportunities have been limited until lately, was on target for the second successive game.
Joint Westfield manager Duncan Jones said: “The great thing about Sean is that he’s got pace to burn, he wants to play football and wants to do well.
“He works his socks off and he will run through a brick wall for you. He’s so quick and they switched their full-backs to try to deal with him.”
Smith struck the game’s only goal during the first half, using his blistering pace to beat the home goalkeeper to a Dave Henham through ball before rounding him coolly and slotting home.
Westfield could have been four-up by half time as Matt Dadswell hit the post, Jones’ downward diving header bounced up and was tipped over, and another chance went begging.
The visitors had three or four opportunities to add to their tally during the second half, while goalkeeper Dan Foster barely had a save to make against still pointless opposition.
It was all in marked contrast to the previous weekend when Westfield were 4-0 down en route to a 4-2 defeat at Storrington having lost 2-1 at Wealden four days prior to that.
Since then they’ve won two in a row and conceded only one goal with this victory coming just four days after a 2-1 extra time success at Division One side Ringmer in round one of the Sussex County FA Senior Cup.
“I don’t want to tempt fate, but we looked solid,” added Jones, who described the performance as “businesslike” and singled out centre-half Henham for special mention.
“We defended from the front and the back four with Fozzie (Foster) as well were absolutely faultless. We controlled the game and it was a superb win.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham, Henham, Archer, Harris, Smith (Ward), Jones (Stiles), Parsons, Dadswell, Brand. Sub not used: Wood.
RINGMER 1 WESTFIELD 2
after extra time
WESTFIELD returned to form in spectacular style by upsetting higher grade opposition in the Sussex Senior Cup.
This victory on Tuesday night represented a marked turnaround in fortunes for a Westfield side which had badly under-performed in losing its previous two matches in the league.
Joint manager Duncan Jones said: “It’s so frustrating. How they can play the way they have played for the last two games and then play like that is beyond me.”
The unavailability of David Miller through work and Lee Wood’s withdrawal just before kick-off meant that Westfield had to alter their defence for the first time this season.
Dave Henham came in for his first start of the campaign and had a blinding game at centre-half, while Adam Hurley dropped back from right-midfield to right-back.
Ringmer had a lot of possession in the first half-an-hour against a Westfield side playing a 4-5-1 cum 4-3-3 formation, but the visitors defended well and Dan Foster was largely untroubled.
But the hosts went ahead after 32 minutes when Oliver Rowe got a toe to a free kick just as Westfield were re-organising after Ben Ridgway was forced off with a broken nose.
Westfield reacted superbly to that setback, though, and Warren Parsons equalised early in the second half with his fourth goal in as many matches, heading home Hurley’s cross.
Despite losing Hurley and fellow full-back Jack Graham to ankle injuries in quick succession, Westfield were pushing to win it in normal time and that continued into extra time as well.
Their pressure finally told in the second period of extra time when substitute Sean Smith headed the winner despite being clattered by the goalkeeper from Lawrence Brand’s delivery.
Although the whole team performed well, special mention should go to Smith, Tom Archer and Mark Ward, three reserve team players from last year who slotted into the side superbly.
Westfield’s reward is a home tie against the winners of another Division One versus Division Two clash between Hassocks and East Preston on a date to be announced.
Westfield: Foster, Hurley (Smith), Graham (Ward), Ridgway (Archer), Henham, Harris, Brain, Jones, Parsons, Dadswell, Brand. Subs not used: Stiles, Wood.
STORRINGTON 4 WESTFIELD 2
DUNCAN Jones was fuming with his Westfield players for the second match running on Saturday.
The Parishioners were again strangely off colour as they lost to a side which generally features in the lower reaches of the Sussex County Football League Division Two table.
Jones, Westfield’s joint manager, said: “It was abysmal and unacceptable, and the lads know that. It was flat, we didn’t start and there wasn’t enough passion in there for me and Tony (Harris, fellow joint manager) which upset us.”
Westfield fell behind to a Richard Ayres strike early on, and with the disappointing 2-1 defeat at Wealden four days previously no doubt fresh in the memory, the heads dropped and the confidence seemed to drain out of the players.
The visitors didn’t look after the ball well enough and didn’t rattle in enough challenges, and found themselves three-down at half time following further strikes from John Rhodie and Nick Tilley.
Liam Humphreys made it four early in the second half, yet as had been the case at Wealden, Westfield had still squandered four gilt-edged chances despite playing poorly.
With the game effectively over, Westfield relaxed and started to play some football during the final half-an-hour. Jack Graham pulled one back from a free kick and Warren Parsons made it 4-2 with a well-taken effort.
Both goals came about because of good team play which showed what Westfield are capable of when they have the confidence to shift the ball.
“We gifted them four goals and we didn’t start playing until 70 minutes into the match,” Jones added. “It was back to the old days when me and Tony first took over.”
Westfield: Foster, Miller, Graham, Ridgway, Wood, Harris (G. Morris), Hurley, Jones (Brain), Parsons, Dadswell, Brand (S. Smith).
