Westfield beaten again by bogey side

Westfield’s footballers were beaten by Rottingdean Village for the third time this season on Bank Holiday Monday.
Emmanuel Okunja gave Westfield an early lead in their 2-1 defeat away to Rottingdean Village. Picture courtesy Jon SmalldonEmmanuel Okunja gave Westfield an early lead in their 2-1 defeat away to Rottingdean Village. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon
Emmanuel Okunja gave Westfield an early lead in their 2-1 defeat away to Rottingdean Village. Picture courtesy Jon Smalldon

Emmanuel Okunja put the Westies ahead, but Rottingdean rallied to win 2-1 in a Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division Two match where all the goals came before half time.

Westfield manager Jack Stapley said: “There were a lot of positives to come out of it; it’s just disappointing it’s a loss again. They said that we deserved a point.”

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Westfield’s day got off to a bad start as Joe Cullip didn’t arrive having got the kick-off time wrong, meaning Stapley had to don the goalkeeper’s gloves.

The visitors nonetheless bossed the opening 25 minutes and drew first blood with a very good goal. Adebola Sotoyinbo laid the ball out wide to Okunja, who skipped round the defender and slotted into the bottom corner for his sixth goal in as many games.

Westfield had opportunities to increase their advantage and Stapley rued not killing the game off as Rottingdean hit back. The equaliser came when a 25-yard shot was pushed out by Stapley, who thought the ball was heading out only for Casey Marlow to score the rebound.

Westfield rather lost their way for the next 10 minutes or so and as they sat back, Rottingdean grabbed what turned out to be the winner. A mishit shot from 30 yards fell kindly for Marlow to net his second.

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The pitch really cut up during a second half which turned into a midfield battle. Stapley was largely untroubled and Westfield had their moments at the other end to have salvaged something from the game.

Rottingdean’s goalkeeper made a great save to deny Sotoyinbo from a one-on-one situation, Khaya Nyathi’s free kick sailed just over and right at the end Matt Cunnington’s deflected 25-yard shot was kept out by a wonder stop.

Westfield: Stapley; Winter (Cunnington), Dadswell, Willis, Cornford; Hurst, Okunja (Nyathi), Ward; Ellis, Sotoyinbo, Martellini (McGurk).

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