Recap

Westfields 2 – Stoneman, Hunt

Worcester Raiders 1 – Shaw

WESTFIELDS GO THROUGH IN FA VASE

Westfields went through in the FA Vase to the First Round Proper when they overcame visiting Worcester Raiders at allpay.park on Sunday after a hastily rearranged game which saw the match switch from Sixways in Worcester to Westfields’ allpay.park ground.

Westfields, who have had a long history in the FA Vase, gave an accomplished display and worked hard from start to finish to overcome a strong Worcester Raiders side.

Westfields took an early lead through dangerman Dan Stoneman who fired low across the visitors’ keeper into the far corner of the net to give Westfields a great start and then Stoneman and Josh Hunt continued to work hard against a big resolute visitors’ defence.

In the home goal Matt Apperley dealt with several dangerous crosses which came high into the penalty area to thwart the Raiders attack and Westfields went in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

After the interval Westfields got a dream start in the 50^th minute when a cross to the far post found Dale Richards who headed the ball back into the crowded penalty area and Josh Hunt rose to nod home powerfully at the near post.

This gave Westfields a great cushion and a 2-0 lead but certainly the Raiders had other ideas and came forward with an attacking flow.

It was only timely tackles by Sean Powell and Joe Davies that prevented the Raiders pulling a goal back until the 85^th minute when substitute Rob Shaw pulled a goal back for the Raiders to create an exciting atmosphere in the last 5 minutes when Westfields had to defend stubbornly to keep out a strong Raiders forward line who were desperately looking to take the match to a penalty shoot-out with an equaliser.

However, Westfields remained strong and went on to win the tie 2-1 and go through to the First Round Proper.

On Tuesday night Westfields travel to Hereford Pegasus for an Hellenic League Premier Division game, kick-off 7.45pm, at Old School Lane, and then on Saturday Westfields return to allpay.park, again against Worcester Raiders whose ground is still unavailable and the Hellenic Football League have reversed the fixture so Westfields will host Worcester Raiders on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, in the Hellenic League Premier Division.