Honours even in tight derby

The footballers of Bexhill United and Westfield fought out a 1-1 draw last night (Tuesday).
Scott McDonald gave Bexhill United an early lead in their 1-1 draw at home to Westfield. Picture courtesy Mark KillyScott McDonald gave Bexhill United an early lead in their 1-1 draw at home to Westfield. Picture courtesy Mark Killy
Scott McDonald gave Bexhill United an early lead in their 1-1 draw at home to Westfield. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

Bexhill took an early lead in a tight Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two derby of few chances only for Westfield to equalise around 15 minutes from time.

Bexhill went into their first midweek home fixture of the season on the back of four consecutive victories and two clean sheets, and it took them only six minutes to draw first blood, Scott McDonald slotting home a low cross from the left at the far post.

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Westfield had more of the play during the rest of the first half, albeit without looking particularly threatening against a Bexhill side which has conceded fewer goals than any other team in the division. Away goalkeeper Carl Morris made a couple of regulation saves at the other end.

On a poor Polegrove pitch, much of the second half was a stalemate with defences very much on top. Westfield captain Sam Willett had a shot from inside the D held by home goalkeeper Yarni Camara in the only effort of note until the visitors equalised in the 79th minute. Andy Hales played a good ball through to David Pugh, who picked out the far bottom corner with a clinical finish.

Westfield had a glorious chance to win it seven minutes later. Camara made a great save low to his left to keep out a Hales shot from just outside the box and Richard Saunders lifted the rebound over the crossbar from close range.

Bexhill: Camara, Cooper, Ottley, Elliott-Noye, G. Aston, J. Aston, Morgan (Cruikshank), Cumming-Bart, McDonald (Tudor), Barden, McMinigal. Subs not used: White, Munday.

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Westfield: Morris, Thomson, Bell, Archer, Warren, Willett, Brand, Parris (Hales), Woodley (Dadswell), Pugh, Martellini (Saunders). Sub not used: Seymour.

Standings (played-points): 1 Worthing United 7-18, 2 Wick & Barnham United 7-16, 3 Mile Oak 8-16, 4 Oakwood 7-15, 5 AFC Uckfield Town 8-14, 6 BEXHILL UNITED 6-14, 7 LITTLE COMMON 7-13, 8 Haywards Heath Town 7-12, 9 WESTFIELD 7-9, 10 Steyning Town 7-9, 11 Rustington 8-7, 12 Saltdean United 6-4, 13 Storrington 8-4, 14 Midhurst & Easebourne 6-1, 15 Seaford Town 7-0.