Clarke on target in Westfield win

Clarke headed home from Mark Drinkwater's cross from the right in the 75th minute to clinch a 1-0 success and set up an intriguing second round tie at home to top flight Whitehawk.

"We played really well. It was a good performance to win there because I knew it was going to be a tough match. In fact 1-0 didn't do us justice," said Westfield manager Steve Johnson. "That's five wins in a row but that one on Saturday was the pick of them because the previous four were all games we thought we should win."

Westfield started well and came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half from a couple of half chances. Clarke twice went close, just failing to get on the end of a cross and then colliding with the Wick goalkeeper in a race for a through ball. Chris Smith then let fly with a shot which muddied the keeper's hands.

The second half continued in much the same vein with Westfield pretty much controlling proceedings, twice putting the ball in the back of the Wick net.

The first was an Andy Moore header ruled out for offside but there was no such doubt over Clarke's effort as he got up highest to direct Drinkwater's fine cross.

Westfield went close to increasing their margin of victory but substitute Terry Paine saw his effort saved and Clarke fired just past the post with a left foot strike.

Johnson, who singled out central defender Jamie Podmore for praise, said: "I never felt we were going to concede a goal and that was the most pleasing thing about the performance because we restricted them to one or two chances."

Westfield entertain Broadbridge Heath in the league on Saturday October 23.