Visitors Claim The Cup - Westfield vs. Sidley United

Perfect day for football at The Parish Field

I was desperately looking for a competitive game and a quick on the Sussex League website showed that there was The Hastings Senior Cup final between Sidley United and Westfield. This was was my first ever game in this competition and this season, only four sides entered the competition. Sidley had beaten Bexhill 5-1 while Westfield beat Little Common 3-0 There was a division gap between the two sides, Sidley were in division one and Westfield were in division two of the Sussex County League.

Kick off at The Parish Field

The home side have a fantastic early chance when the number 10 is played through but the keeper is able to save. They have another chance a few minutes later but the shot goes over the bar. Shortly afterwards it is the visitors turn to put an effort just over the woodwork. Westfield are played in again by a weak defensive header but the ball is dragged just wide. Sidley then have a golden opportunity to take the led when a free kick is able to reach a player at the back post but the chance is wasted. Westfield then have a chance of their own from a free kick but the header goes over the bar. In the final moments of the half the hosts come closest when a header hits the post.

There was a decent crowd for the cup final.

Westfield would have been pleased with their performance in the first half against the visitors from a higher league but their hard work is undone by some sloppy defending. Early in the second half a long ball forward isn't dealt with and the Sidley striker is left with a simple tap in. The hosts create another fantastic chance from a free kick but the ball is put over despite there being no one near the Westfield player. They are made to regret that miss when another long ball isn't dealt with and Sidley double their lead with a second scrappy goal. Westfield try to fashion a goal but the visitors see out the rest of the game to claim the cup.

A Westfield corner in the first half.

The closest station to Westfield is Hastings. The quickest way to get to Hastings from London is to get the fast train to Ashford from St Pancras and change to the Hastings train at Ashford. The journey takes about an hour and a half where by the direct train takes almost two hours. From here you can the 340 bus from outside the station which departs hourly and takes about twenty five minutes. The only pub currently open in Westfield is The Plough Inn and it therefore fortunate that this pub is extremely friendly and has a good range of beers. The club house is fairly basic but does the job and does brilliant hot dogs.

A basic programme was provided for this game but it contained enough information to give a good background on both teams and how they'd faired this season.

The clubhouse side of the ground.