Westies beaten at Midhurst

Curtis Coombes, pictured here against Steyning Town earlier this month, scored his first senior goal of the season in Westfield's 3-2 defeat at Midhurst & Easebourne on Saturday

The Westies returned from their longest trip of the Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two season empty-handed despite second half goals from David Pugh and Curtis Coombes.

Westfield manager Jethro Warren said: “They were the better team. They played with a bit more intensity and wanted it a bit more. First half we were terrible.”

Several Westfield players only arrived 10 minutes before kick-off and the visitors were duly 2-0 down at half time in a physical encounter.

Luke Sheldrick opened the scoring with a good header into the far corner and Matthew Mason doubled Midhurst’s advantage with what Warren described as ‘a calamity goal’ which stemmed from a Westfield corner.

After a few stern words during the break, Westfield upped the tempo in the second half - aided by the welcome return of Gordon Cuddington following a lengthy injury lay-off.

Sam Willett was needlessly brought down for a penalty which Pugh converted for his 13th goal in 12 games, but Midhurst restored their two-goal cushion when Sheldrick scored from a corner.

Coombes pulled one back with his first senior goal of the season, a good header from Warren’s free kick, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a point.

Westfield: Holland, Burt, Brand, Warren, Bell, Ringwood, Hales, Willett, Whiteman (Cuddington), Coombes, Pugh.