Victoria Baptists First vs Westfield Reserves
1 - 2
12 March 2022 · East Sussex Football League<br>Division 2
Away league match played on 12 March 2022.
Kicked off at 2:00 PM
1-2
vs Victoria Baptists First
Away league match
Westfield went within touching distance of their first title in 22 years after two last gasp goals secured a battling victory against Victoria Baptists on the UK’s worst football pitch.
A scrappy affair saw Westfield create the better chances throughout whilst remaining water tight at the back due to the excellent defensive capabilities of Isaac Miller, George Maclean, Jack Whiteman and man of the match Billy Blackford. The one time they did breach the Westfield defence could have resulted in a chance but Andy Ball’s industrial challenge on the forward put paid to those attempts.
Prolific striker Jay Edwards was causing havoc for the Baptists backline and was unfortunate not to give Westfield the lead with some agonisingly close attempts at goal. His strike partner Bobby ‘Goals’ Burt also saw his best attempts thwarted by the towering Baptists goalie and both teams went into the break scoreless.
The second half carried on in much the same vein with Westfield carving out chance after chance but being unable to force the breakthrough. Then, against the run of play, an innocuous forward ball from the Baptists caught Westfield out and their striker raced clear to confidently finish past debutant keeper Ball.
Westfield then bought on centre half Leon Mende in a strikers position to ruffle some Victoria Baptists feathers. However it wasn’t until the 86th minute that Westfield finally scored the goal they deserved when marauding right back Maclean picked up a loose ball 20 yards out and fired a rocket of a shot across the keeper and into the top corner. 1-1.
Westfield now had the bit between their teeth and laid siege on the Baptists goal. Then, deep into stoppage time, Maclean won a soft free kick 35 yards out from goal and centre back Miller struck a powerful effort towards goal which flicked off of a Baptists defender and flew past the startled keeper to spark wild celebrations. 2-1 and full time.
Next week Westfield will secure the league title if they can avoid defeat against closest challengers Little Common at the Parish Field. ????