Johnson clinches last gasp win

A STUNNING last minute goal from Alan Johnson gave Westfield a 1-0 win away to First Division Sidlesham in the second round of the SCFA John O'Hara League Challenge Cup.

The strike clinched a third round tie at home to top flight neighbours Sidley United on December 18.

The goal was well worth the wait. Johnson, more often associated with the spectacular than the tap in when on the scoresheet, lived up to his reputation with a breathtaking 25 yard strike that fairly sped into the top corner of the net.

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It seemed like it needed a moment of such brilliance to get past Sidlesham goalkeeper Karl Watson, who was almost single-handedly keeping Division One's bottom side in the competition.

The home stopper foiled Duncan Jones on three occasions, as well as Mark Drinkwater whilst Lawrence Brand pinged a drive against the crossbar.

In contrast, Sidlesham, whose 56-year-old manager Joe Laidlaw played in midfield seemingly as a result of a personnel shortage, posed little threat and Westfield's number one Peter Newstead was only really called upon to snuff out a single long range effort.

That isn't to say this was a classic Westfield performance, though. Despite the fact that target man Dominic Clarke was sidelined with a locked knee meaning the slightly shorter in stature Jones and Sam Jamison led the line, the visitors often still attempted to take the direct approach. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the tactic didn't really have the desired effect until right-back Mark Drinkwater was thrust forward mid-way through the second period.

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Manager Steve Johnson said: "It wasn't the best performance we've put in but we stuck at it and never looked like conceding. We didn't play as much football as we usually do but we ground it out.

Westfield return to Sussex Division Two action on Saturday November 20 with a visit from unpredictable Oakwood.