Westfield's early season form comes to an end against Rustington

The Westies were knocked out of the Sussex Intermediate Cup by higher grade Rustington in a bruising encounter. Though Rustington ran out deserved 3.0 winners, the game was turned on it’s head after only ten minutes.

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Despite Westfield starting the game relatively well, defender Jack Stapley was shown a straight red card after just ten minutes. Stapley bought down a Rustington striker and was deemed to be the last man. On another day the referee may have brandished a yellow card, however the referee showed no mercy on Stapley or Westfield. Rustington scored the resulting free kick, a brilliant finish into the bottom right corner.

Rustington doubled the lead minutes later, a cross from the left was expertly finished off.

Westfield knew it wasn’t meant to be their day once the third went in. Westfield goalkeeper Tom De Planta dropped a high ball and a Rustington player was there to finish the game off just before half time.

Rustington began the second half strongly and were frustrated when an apparent handball and penalty wasn’t given. To their credit, Westfield didn’t roll over in the second half and they carved out a couple of opportunities to get back into the game.

Westfield will look back on the game and wonder what could have been had the red card not of happened. Rustington however look strong contenders to go all the way.

Westfield will now be hoping to get back to winning ways in the league next week with an away trip to Lindfield.

Da Planta, May, Stapley Kipps Durrant, Penn Ferguson Martellini, Tewksbury King Landais.

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