Westies suffer penalty pain in county semi-final

Gordon Cuddington on the ball for Westfield against Mile Oak. Picture by Simon Newstead (SUS-151104-214350002)

The Westies were edged out 5-4 on penalties at home to Mile Oak in a closely-contested Macron Store Sussex County Football League Reserve Section Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday.

Jethro Warren, Gordon Cuddington, Peter Baker and Matt Dadswell scored their spot-kicks, but Steve Ringwood blazed Westfield’s third effort over the crossbar.

The match itself ended 1-1 after normal and extra-time. Reserve Section (Premier) side Mile Oak led at half time only for Reserve Section (East) team Westfield to level after the break when Baker dispossessed the last defender and slotted past the goalkeeper.

Baker had earlier struck the post with a 30-yard free kick, while Oak put a one-on-one opportunity over the top. Neither goalkeeper had much to do in extra-time, although Oak went just wide with the two best chances.

Despite losing a semi-final for the second successive weekend, Westfield can reflect on a fine run in the competition. They won four matches, including an excellent 2-0 win away to Reserve Section (Premier) champions Saltdean United in round three.

With three games to go, Westfield could still secure a runners-up finish in the league. The first two of them are away to Lingfield this coming Saturday and Little Common the following Wednesday night.