Westfields held at home

Westfields were held to a 1-1 draw at home by high-flying Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday when the unbeaten visitors from Stroud displayed the kind of form which has put them up into 2nd position in the league table.

Westfields were under pressure early in the first half when home keeper Ian Havard made 2 full-length saves at the foot of the post to deny Brimscombe & Thrupp an early lead. 

However, the visitors took the lead in the 22^nd minute when Ollie Barnes squeezed home a shot which took a deflection to put the visitors ahead after Westfields had failed to clear a left-wing cross.

However, Westfields were soon back in the hunt and equalised in the 38^th minute when a glorious pass from Matt McDonald found Joe Davies, and the Westfields leading goal-scorer squeezed home a shot from a narrow angle to put the sides level.

Westfields then had Ian Havard to thank again when the home keeper made a brilliant stop from point-blank range to keep out a goal-bound effort as the visitors looked likely to regain the lead shortly before the interval.

After the break, Westfields enjoyed better possession and better attacking, and shots from Josh Hunt and Harrison Summers were cleared and then an in-swinging corner from Matt McDonald was headed off the line.

Brimscombe & Thrupp looked dangerous on the counter-attack but both Paul Hurrell and Kane Kahaki were in outstanding form at the heart of the Westfields defence.

Westfields then had a glorious chance in the dying minutes to clinch all 3 points when Josh Hunt put over a superb cross but there was no-one in the 6 yard box to convert the opportunity from the Westfields attack.

Westfields gave a hard-working performance and deserved their point against a team currently unbeaten and going for promotion to the Southern League South & West.

Westfields now face a busy week with an away game on Tuesday night at Malvern Town and next Saturday they are at home to bottom of the table Hallen from Bristol who are currently without a point.  That match kicks off at allpay.park at 3pm.