Late double puts Westfield into cup final

Sam Ellis took his goal tally for the season to 15 with an added time double last night. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon

Goals from Sam Ellis in the 92nd and 95th minutes gave Westfield a 3-1 victory over Lancing United in a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division Two Challenge Cup semi-final.

Westfield’s reward is a showdown against the winners of next Tuesday’s semi-final between Jarvis Brook and Sidlesham.

“It was a really good result,” said Westfield manager Jack Stapley. “We left it late, but I think we thoroughly deserved to win and we probably should’ve won by more to be honest. It was a complete performance apart from maybe a bit of finishing letting us down.”

Boosted by the presence of 34-goal Callum Smith and the return of several regulars, Westfield were back up to strength and it showed as they got the better of in-form opposition at Haywards Heath Town FC.

A goalless first half was fairly even. Westfield had a lot of the ball without creating a great deal, although Smith was denied by the goalkeeper from Asher Grindle’s pass and Martyn Durrant headed over. Harry Stapley made one genuine save at the other end.

Westfield struck first in the 49th minute. Smith’s angled shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Grindle turned in the rebound.

Smith later shot straight at the goalkeeper from a couple of one-on-one situations and Lancing’s number one also pulled off a splendid save to deny Ellis at a corner.

Asher Grindle netted his 13th of the campaign to open the scoring.

Lancing equalised with a goal out of nothing. A sweetly-struck cross-shot flashed into the bottom corner.

Westfield then came under a bit of pressure, but hit Lancing on the break to retake the lead. Ellis beat several opponents before firing across goal into the bottom corner, just reward for another fine display.

Westfield sealed their win with another goal on the break, Grindle teeing up Ellis to slot home from 12 yards. Zak Hurst performed superbly after an early injury to Jake Adams.

Westfield: H. Stapley; May, Dadswell, Dicken, Durrant; Winter, Ward, Adams (Hurst); Smith (Ramsay), Ellis, Grindle.

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