Don’t Steve Me This Way!!!

Westfield threw away a two goal advantage to share the spoils against a decent Herstmonceux outfit at Lime Cross.

Herstmonceux started well but it was Westfield who took the lead when the visionary Musa Cámara sent the pacy Jay Edwards clear with a delightful through ball and Edwards confidently tucked home his second goal in two games. 1-0.

Westfield should’ve increased their lead during the first half but some wayward finishing and fortunate goalkeeping kept Herstmonceux in the game. Then, with around five minutes of the half remaining, Herstmonceux broke down the right and crossed in for their attacker to head home at the back post, however the Westfield linesman Leon Mende had adjudged that the ball had gone out of play before the cross but his decision was overruled. In the resulting melee the Herstmonceux manager was sent to the stands whilst linesman Mende was given a ten minute sin bin.

Westfield didn’t let the injustice get them down and quickly restored their advantage after Bavon Abala and brother Alex Mulumba created confusion in the Herstmonceux penalty area and Cámara swivelled to fire home from 6 yards out. 2-1 and half time.

Westfield looked like they could increase their lead at anytime and the excellent substitute Sonny Dullaway did just that after playing a glorious one two with Edwards and slotting home at the far post. 3-1.

Then the composed and cultured Billy Blackford, who had been performing superbly alongside the equally impressive Steve Payne, picked up a hamstring strain and had to be replaced at centre back by Mende. This unsettled Westfield and Herstmonceux pulled a goal back after breaking free down Westfield’s right hand side. 3-2.

Just five minutes later and Herstmonceux completed their comeback when a quickly taken free kick caught everyone out and nestled into the corner. 3-3. The drama wasn’t over though as Mulumba received his matching orders for what looked like an innocuous tackle. Herstmonceux were also reduced to ten men when one of their midfielders said a bit too much to the ref and was dismissed. With ten minutes remaining the referee, who had officiated Westfields last league game and sent off four players that day, made it another four dismissals when he sent off Dullaway for swearing.

All in all a disappointing result for Westfield against a strong Herstmonceux side but they can take plenty of positives from the game and hope to get back to winning ways next week when they make the long trip to Sandhurst for another league fixture. ????