Recap

Worcester Raiders 1 – Smith

Westfields 0

RAIDERS PIP WESTFIELDS BY AN ONLY GOAL

Westfields travelled to highly fancied Worcester Raiders in the Hellenic League Premier division last night and were beaten by a solitary goal in the thirtieth minute by Richard Smith in a game which Westfields dominated for long periods, particularly in the second half when they were trying hard to get back on level terms.

Westfields started well on the 4G pitch at the Sixways Stadium but were continually thwarted by the packed Raiders defence.

Westfields then lost keeper, Matt Apperley in the twentieth minute, who suffered a dizzy spell and was replaced by teenager, Jack Oxendale, who was soon in action when a through ball beat Joel Edwards and Richard Smith went through unchallenged to put the Raiders 1-0 ahead.

Westfields came back strongly in the latter stages of the first half and Ollie Barnes had a shot blocked and Dan Stoneman also went close.

In the second half was Stoneman and Archie Muirhead both looking dangerous down the flanks, Raiders were stretched at times to contain Westfields and Barnes was not far away with a near post header and then another effort from substitute, Harrison Summers stroke the outside of the post.

Westfields built up a great momentum in an effort to draw level and the Raiders did well to contain the lively Westfields attack, particularly when substitutes, Kyle Cassell and Adam Wakely came on and they injected fresh impetus into the Westfields attack and they really deserved an equaliser for an all-out action display, but the Raiders hung on to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and put them clearly top of the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Westfields return to Allpay Park on Saturday with a home FA Cup tie against Worcester City, kick off 3:00pm at Allpay Park and then on Tuesday night of next week Westfields travel to play Worcester City in the Hellenic League Premier Division at Claims Lane, Worcester.