Westend out of Cup in the first round
HAYS 7
WESTEND UNITED 0
(Mid Cheshire League District Cup. Under 12’s)
This was never going to be easy with Hays being last years league champions and leading division one this season but the lads gave their all and more besides.
Westend started the game and immediately lost possession to Hays who came forward forcing a number of corners that were either well saved by Robin Evans or went out. On one occasion Westend got the ball in the Hays half with Ashley Goodwin battling hard. The play was mostly in the Westend half and Robin Evans had to contend with many fierce long range shots and more well worked corners. The defence of Jim Cowburn, Alex Mason, Philip Roney and Nick Tabbinor were constantly having to tackle and clear with assistance from the midfielders Harry Higate, Jack Carroll, Kit Ambage and Oliver Gifford. Westend were getting assistance from other areas including the cross bar. After fifteen minutes of relentless pressure Hays won another corner, the ball came in and it was headed in for the first goal. Westend took the kick off and Alex Mason sent the ball forward for Scott Sapsford to sprint to get it but he could not quite reach it. Hays attacked again and got a corner this was headed wide. Hays received the ball from the goalkick and shot wide. A couple of corners later the ball came in and a shot came back off the bar but only as far as a Hays player who made it 2-0. Hays continued to attack however, the scoreline was not added to but the ball hit the bar and the post, Robin Evans produced some wonderful saves and the whole team defended franticly. At Half Time the score was a very creditable 2-0.
Hays started the second half, with Joe Brazier coming on for Nick Tabbinor and Anthony Crossley for Oliver Gifford. Whilst defending one onslaught Alex Mason kicked a great ball forward to clear but was fouled in the process bringing what looked like an attacking opening back for a free kick, this was taken but Hays got the ball and their shot was forced wide. Hays were awarded a free kick that came in for their third goal and two minutes later they got their fourth after a good save by Robin Evans came loose. Matthew Blood came on in goals and had an eventful twenty minutes in which he made some good saves and some good kicked deliveries. Joe Brazier picked up a knock and was swapped with Oliver Gifford. Hays went on to score another three goals after playing some very good football and applying all of the pressure. The final score was 7-0.
Westend can come away from this game with their heads held high after playing well against a very good side.
The man of the match was Robin Evans for his outstanding goal keeping performance.
Team: - Ambage, Blood, Brazier, Carroll, Cowburn, Crossley, Evans, Gifford, Goodwin, Higate, Mason, Roney, Sapsford and Tabbinor.
The next game is the previously postponed cup match against Middlewich at home and players are asked to meet at the school before 10.00 a.m.