1st Team news

Westfields v Loughborough University

MATCH REPORT - Saturday, January 21, 2012

Westfields 2 - Jones, Robbins (pen)
Loughborough University 0

WESTFIELDS MAINTAIN CHALLENGE

Westfields maintained their challenge for the MFA championship with a 2-0 home win over visiting Loughborough University at allpay.park on Saturday.

Westfields had to work very hard for their vital 3 points against the skilful visitors who defended well for long periods.

Westfields enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes in which they played some free-flowing soccer with Craig Jones, Sam Gwynne and Adam Newbury all linking up well.  In fact Westfields carved open the University defence twice early on but first Jamie Cuss and then Aiden Thomas were denied by splendid goal-keeping by Brendan Hazlett in the Loughborough goal.

Westfields then had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Jamie Cuss appeared to be upended but Referee Mr Chris Smith waived play on.

The students did well when they attacked, and Phil Glover cleared from Raul Alexis as the Spanish striker got an on-target effort.

Phil Harris then carved an opening for Richard Kear but the Westfields’ leading marksman saw his shot charged down by the students’ defence.

However, Westfields eventually broke down the Loughborough defence when the industrious Sam Gwynne picked up a loose ball and found Craig Jones in space and Jones swept the ball home with a low left-foot shot from 20 yards to give Westfields a 1-0 interval lead.

After the break, Westfields set up a couple of great chances to increase their lead and when Aiden Thomas was fouled out on the left flank Sam Gwynne hit a superb free-kick which Hazlett in the University goal reacted brilliantly to, to tip the shot over the bar.

Westfields then had to defend well as Loughborough hit back and Dan Price blocked a fierce drive from Matt Collino, then Matt Gwynne in the Westfields’ goal dived bravely at the feet of Dan Nti as the Loughborough substitute was close to equalising.  Loughborough then had a great chance to draw level but Alexis saw his close-range header go over the Westfields’ crossbar.

Westfields almost went 2 up when Sam Gwynne closed down and robbed fullback Lawrence Heard but his low goal-bound shot was saved by the University keeper’s legs.

However, Westfields made the points safe from an end-to-end second half when substitute Sam Bowen burst into the Loughborough penalty area only to be brought down and Ref Smith pointed to the penalty spot and Anthony Robbins blasted home the 89th minute penalty to give Westfields a fine 2-0 home win and 3 valuable MFA points from the 17th league win of the season.