3rd May 2003

Hedon United 2 v 4 Westella & Willerby

Westella completed their HPL campaign with a third successive win to finish the season on a high. Against a plucky Hedon side, Westella started slowly and for the first twenty minutes neither keeper was severely tested. The breakthrough came after 25mins when a Danny Rhodes free-kick was missed by everybody, including goalkeeper Peat to give Westella the lead. After this neither side created many openings, and the equaliser when it came, came once again from a free-kick. Damien Caine’s 40^th minute free-kick being fumbled by youngster Mike Scott in the Westella goal for Thompson to score from close range. Westella though regained the lead almost immediately, again from a free-kick. This time from Darren McGrath’s excellent strike, which struck a post, Owen Robinson fired in a shot which Peat was unable to hold and skipper Mike Gibson fired home from close range.

Westella began the second half far more brightly, with sub Steve Platten injecting some urgency into their play, well supported by midfield colleague Andy Outram and Baz Waller up front. They went 3-1 ahead after 57 minutes, when after good work from Outram, Platten fired a terrific volley into the top corner of the net. Westella continued to press and both Waller and McGrath spurned further opportunities, before after 68 minutes, Platten and Waller combined to set up man of the match Outram for a deserved goal. Westella continued to control the game until a late mistake let in Thompson to score a well taken second goal for Hedon.