Westfield strengthened for cup semi-final

Westfield's footballers are gunning for a place in the final of a league cup competition.
Action from Westfield's 3-1 league defeat away to Upper Beeding on Saturday. Pictures courtesy Derek MartinAction from Westfield's 3-1 league defeat away to Upper Beeding on Saturday. Pictures courtesy Derek Martin
Action from Westfield's 3-1 league defeat away to Upper Beeding on Saturday. Pictures courtesy Derek Martin

The Westies will face Lancing United in a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division Two Challenge Cup semi-final at Haywards Heath Town FC tonight (Tuesday). Kick-off is 7.30pm.

The league table suggests a tight contest could be on the cards. Westfield are sixth in the table - two places and eight points behind Lancing having played an extra game.

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The one league meeting between the sides so far this term ended with Lancing running out 2-1 winners in their home fixture at the end of January.

The formbook favours Lancing. They have picked up 15 points from their last six league games, while Westfield have taken just four from their last six and have lost both of their last two 3-1.

Westfield manager Jack Stapley will have far more options at his disposal tonight, however, with several players expected to return after missing the weekend match at Upper Beeding.

The likes of Callum Smith, Asher Grindle, Sam Winter, Liam Ward, Joe Dicken and Matt Dadswell are all set to return to the squad.

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And the presence of Smith, who has scored 34 goals for Westfield this season despite playing primarily for Tunbridge Wells in recent weeks, should provide the extra firepower Westfield have lacked of late.

The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.
The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.

Stapley said: “They’re not a bad side and they’re on a really good run, but we’ll go into it full of confidence. I’ve told the boys ‘don’t worry about recent results, it’s all on the day’.

“Having Callum, Asher and Sam (Ellis) as a front three is as good as any in the league, if not the best front three. On their day they’re unplayable and that gives us a massive plus.”

Westfield booked their place in the semi-finals courtesy of a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory away to Alfold last month after extra-time ended with the teams level at 5-5.

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The winners of tonight’s match, incidentally, will face Jarvis Brook or Sidlesham - both of whom are in the league’s top three - in the final.

The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.
The heads go up during Westfield's game against Upper Beeding.

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