Westfield 3 Leatherhead 0
It wasn’t to be a Happy New Year for Leatherhead, as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat
against Westfield at a wet and windswept Woking Park on Monday evening.
Tanners were outclassed by their well organised hosts, conceding twice in the opening
half before gifting Westfield a decisive third goal after 75 minutes.
The two sides were well matched in the opening fifteen minutes. Leatherhead’s Tyler
Cox forced a good save from Westfield keeper Sonny Wheeler. Field responded at the
other end with Tanners custodian Mikey Allen diving low to block Jacob Breckon’s
well struck effort.
The match turned in the hosts’ favour on 17 minutes. Archie Taylor collected the ball
wide on the right side of the Tanners’ penalty area before skilfully swerving around
his marker and hitting a fierce drive into the corner of the net.
Westfield’s no-nonsense approach saw yellows cards issued in quick succession to
Alfie Huckle and Andrew Crossley following two hefty challenges on Leatherhead
players.
Field had a loud penalty appeal waved away on 27 minutes, after Breckon went down
dramatically in the visitors’ area.
Tanners threatened to level as they pressed forward. Jamie Splatt fired a shot straight
at Wheeler from 25 yards before Michael Elechi sent a probing delivery into the six
yard box from the left, only to see the referee’s assistant raise his flag for offside.
The hosts doubled their lead on 34 minutes. A long looping cross from the left
dropped invitingly into the visitors’ six yard box for an advancing Breckon to volley
home unchallenged from close range.
Leatherhead’s Trevan Robinson was cautioned following a collision with Wheeler, as
the two players challenged for the ball in Westfield’s penalty area. Wheeler received
lengthy treatment on his ankle from the club’s physio but continued to play for the
rest of the match, almost as if nothing had happened.
Westfield’s second goal signalled the need for some changes for Tanners, with Elechi
making way for Daniel Hector on 37 minutes and Alpha Diallo replacing Luther
Williams at the start of the second half.
Leatherhead continued to push forward in an attempt to unlock the resolute Westfield
defence. Kenny Beaney tested Wheeler with a long range effort on 63 minutes before
Fabio Saraiva struck a 25 yard free kick high over the bar.
Westfield grabbed an audacious third goal with fifteen minutes remaining. Allen came
well out of his area to make a clearance. But instead of finding a Leatherhead player
or firmly hoofing the ball into touch, the goalkeeper’s long clearance failed to go out
of play.
Crossley collected the ball just inside the touch line between the two set of dug outs
and pumped it long and hard in the direction of the visitors’ goal. With one bounce in
the six yard box, the ball rolled over the line and into an unguarded net.
Tanners had a chance for a late consolation goal in added time. Tommy Stagg hit a
long, low drive but Wheeler kept it out, making another fine save as he dived to his
right.
Leatherhead return to league action on Saturday when Sutton Common Rovers visit
Fetcham Grove. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.
Westfield: Sonny Wheeler, Lewis Jackson, Manolis Gogonas, Alfie Huckle, Luke
Elliott, Quincy Rowe, Archie Taylor, Andrew Crossley, Jacob Breckon, Jordan Alves,
Mayowa Adaje. Subs Billy Nutbeam, Theo White, Kanye Moy
Leatherhead: Mikey Allen, Luther Williams (Alpha Diallo 46), Michael Elechi
(Daniel Hector 39), Jamie Splatt, Ollie Cook, Fikayo Atewologun, Omarr Lawson,
Kenny Beaney, Trevan Robinson, Fabio Saraiva (Tommy Stagg 68), Tyler Cox