Midhurst win hopes go west against Westfield

Midhurst were handicapped by having three of their regular team serving County FA suspensions.

Keeper Paul Williamson had accumulated five cautions and was serving a one-match suspension. Ashley Holloway had a one-match ban for a red card while Lewis Hyde was given a one-match suspension for denying an opponent a scoring opportunity.

But recent signing Harry Farr, Martin May and Scott Lillywhite filled these positions.

Midhurst were slow to get going although good passes by Liam Dreckman and Mike Match provided John McDermott with an opportunity which he converted.

Westfield were stung into action and they had four corners in quick succession. Two were put behind and keeper Lillywhite dealt with the others.

As half-time approached Midhurst had a scare when David Pugh chipped the ball goalwards, but Mike Hatch was well-positioned to clear.

With four minutes to go before the break, Midhurst’s defence took a breather at the wrong time and Joe Barham beat Lillywhite to make it 1-1.

Midhurst were playing concise football and McDermott had a good run at the defence and his shot was only just wide of the upright.

Some of Midhurst’s young players showed too much enthusiasm in their tackles and Dreckman was spoken to by the referee while Jamie O’Leary was shown a yellow card.

Manager Trevor Waller Waller replaced O’Leary with Basile Chevalier.

Midhurst supporters were left mystified when the referee awarded Westfield a penalty which was slotted home by David Pugh.

Lillywhite was kept busy when when the visitors rained shots on his goal.

Midhurst brought on Shane Brayson for Kevin Clayton, but then he was injured and in turn was replaced by Scott Farrell.

The visitors played out the last 15 minutes by concentrating on defending - and Midhurst were left with the feeling they need goalscoring forwards.

MIDHURST: Scott Lillywhite, Martin May, Sean Dummer, Harry Farr, Lawrence Hyde, James O’Leary. Michael Hatch, Kevin Clayton, John McDermott, Liam Dreckman, Luke Sheldrick, Basile Chevalier, Shane Brayson, Scott Farrell.

Midhurst host Loxwood this Saturday (3pm). The second XI are away to Rustington seconds.

by TED DUMMER