Recap

Cribbs 2 – NcErlain, Corrick

Westfields 0

WESTFIELDS BEATEN AWAY AT LEAGUE TITLE-CHASERS

Westfields suffered a 2-0 away defeat at Cribbs FC on Saturday when the Bristol-based side completed a Hellenic League double over Westfields who had been beaten 2-0 at home by Cribbs earlier in the season.

Cribbs were a big, strong, physical outfit who were chasing the league title and had to work hard on the day to record their 2-0 home victory over a Westfields side who worked tirelessly from start to finish but could not convert the chances that came their way when several crosses went begging in the penalty area which were left unconverted and Westfields suffered the chance of perhaps gaining a point.

Cribbs took an early lead in the 11^th minute when a short corner-kick was floated into the Westfields penalty area and central defender McErlain rose unchallenged to head home at the far post to put the home side into the lead.

Westfields came back into the game and the home keeper had to field long shots from Dan Stoneman, and then Westfields had strong appeals for a penalty when Archie Muirhead was brought down in the penalty area but the referee waved aside their appeals.

Westfields look strong going forward but good approach play was spoilt by a lack of finishing touch.

After the break Westfields were the more attacking side as they looked to draw level but several dangerous crosses by Dan Stoneman and Joe Davies went begging before the best chance of the game came when a Stoneman cross floated into the penalty area and Sean Powell came racing at the far post but his header flashed wide.

This was clearly the best chance Westfields had to draw level and in the dying minutes Cribbs made the game safe when Corrick dispossessed Sam Rawlings and went through to lob Matt Apperley to put the issue beyond doubt.

Westfields tried to get back into the game in the dying stages but again good approach work was spoilt by a lack of finishing touch.

Westfields now travel on Saturday away to Tuffley in the Hellenic League Premier Division and the following Tuesday, 14^th February, they play at home to Sporting Inkberrow in the quarter final of the HFA Challenge Cup, kick-off 7.45pm, at allpay.park.