Westfield roar back for sixth straight win

Westfield defender Martyn Durrant keeps a close eye on an Upper Beeding opponent. Picture by Simon Newstead

The Westies were two-down inside eight minutes, but rallied to win 4-2 at home to Upper Beeding in round one of the Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division Two Challenge Cup.

Westfield manager Jack Stapley said: "That was probably the worst 10 minutes of our season and the best 80 minutes all in one game."

Beeding struck first through a Bradley Hatchett penalty and doubled their advantage just a couple of minutes later. Harry Smith picked up the ball on the touchline just inside Westfield's half and dribbled his way through before prodding home.

Westfield swiftly got one back in the 13th minute when Asher Grindle unleashed a 25-yard piledriver which arrowed into the top corner for his 10th goal of the season. "I don't think you will ever see a cleaner strike," said Stapley.

The Westies took control thereafter and Stapley felt they should've been out of sight by half time. A handful of good chances went begging, but Westfield did conjure up an equaliser in the 27th minute. A good move down the right involving Lewis McGuigan, Sam Winter and Callum Smith ended with a Beeding defender finding his own net under pressure from Grindle.

Westfield fashioned plenty more opportunities during the second half, but had to wait until the 88th minute to hit the front as Smith made amends for missing a sitter seconds earlier.

With Beeding pushing forward in search of a leveller, Smith got in behind the away defence and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home his 19th of the campaign to make it 4-2.

Callum Smith turns away from an Upper Beeding defender. Picture by Simon Newstead

Westfield: Holland; McGuigan, Dadswell, Dicken, Durrant; Winter (Coombes), Ward; Ellis; Adams, Smith (Cochrane), Grindle (Barrett).

Westfield will be targeting a fourth cup win out of four this season when travel to Shoreham U21 in round three of the Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup this coming Saturday.

"It's a bit of an unknown quantity," said manager Jack Stapley, whose team has scored 34 goals in winning its last six games. "I would've said we'll go down there as favourites. We've just got to keep the run going."

Sam Ellis and Jake Adams are doubtful are doubtful after picking up knocks against Beeding.

Westfield defender Joe Dicken shadows an opponent during Westfield's 4-2 victory. Picture by Simon Newstead

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