Westfield aiming high

The village club will begin its Sussex County League Division Two campaign with a home game against Rustington on Saturday. Kick-off at The Parish Field is 3pm.

Joint manager Tony Harris said: “Our ambition is to finish as high as we can. We want to be competing at the right end of the table. I would like to think we’ll be competitive.”

Westfield did well to finish 10th last term with a young side built from scratch the previous summer and were in the top half of the table for much of the season before tailing off at the end when injuries took their toll.

They’ve kept the vast majority of that squad together, including 32-goal leading scorer David Pugh, and brought in four players from nearby senior clubs, notably Gordon Cuddington and Lee Wood.

“We’re the only (senior) club I think locally that don’t pay anything, but we’re quite pleased with what we’ve got,” continued Harris. “I think on paper we’ve got a very good squad. I’m optimistic.”

One thing for sure is that few teams in the division, if any, will be better prepared. Westfield have been training since way back on June 11 and have contested seven friendlies.

Wood is definitely out through injury and Chris Sanderson is working. James Gatcum and Steve Ringwood are doubtful with ankle trouble, but David Miller is expected to shake off a dead leg and Martin Brain is available to make one last appearance before setting off for the United States.

The full article will appear in tomorrow’s Hastings and Battle Observers.