Recap

Rugby Town 1 – Francis

Westfields 0

WESTFIELDS BOW OUT OF FA CUP IN REPLAY

Westfields were pipped 1-0 away at Rugby Town in the Extra Preliminary Round FA Cup replay last night.

Westfields were unlucky with their Cup defeat as they played in a hard-fought end-to-end Cup tie in which it was always on the cards that one goal was going to settle the issue.

After drawing 2-2 at Westfields on Saturday when Westfields had a number of late chances to have clinched the game, the home side were full of confidence but were shocked when Westfields thought they’d snatched an early lead when Jack Gittoes found the net from close-range but his effort was ruled offside.

The game swung from end-to-end and Matt Apperley in the Westfields goal twice made saves low in an action-packed goalmouth before the break.

Westfields had a number of opportunities but their shots were blocked by a hard-working Rugby defence when both Billy Murphy and Dan Stoneman had shots cleared.

After the break Liam Francis broke the deadlock in the 56^th minute when he shot home in a goalmouth scramble after Matt Apperley had initially saved the first effort and the ball ran free and Francis was on hand to score the match-winner.

Westfields came storming back and Ben Vine headed over the crossbar from 6yds and then it was Vine again who joined the attack for a corner but his powerful header went wide of the post, again from 6yds.

Westfields threw everything forward in an effort to force extra time as both Stoneman and Matt MacDonald gave inspired performances.

At the other end Rugby nearly put the issue beyond doubt but they found Apperley in good form when he saved at point-blank range with his legs to keep the score down to 1-0 and set up a grandstand finish.

In the latter stages Westfields did everything to force extra time but the big Rugby defence stood firm to go through to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup with an away tie at Studley on 20^th August.

Westfields now meet Fairford Town at allpay.park on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, in the Hellenic League Premier Division and on Tuesday next, 16^th August, they meet local rivals Hereford Pegasus, again at allpay.park, for a big local derby in the Hellenic League, kick-off 7.45pm.