19th February 2003

St. Andrews Sutton 3 v 2 Westella & Willerby

On a poor playing surface it had to be set pieces which provided four out of the five goals in this slightly ill tempered match. The tackles were flying in thick and fast, with both teams desperate for 3 points, although they seemingly had nothing to play for but league position. In the early stages both teams tried to play football without much success, both guilty of giving the ball away and being caught in possession. St. Andrews took the lead in the 7^th minute after poor marking from a corner and Harrod headed home unchallenged. This goal seemed to be just what Westella needed to get them going and they were quickly rewarded. Five minutes later a Robinson free-kick from the left was curled in towards the keeper and Gibson got the faintest of touches to guide the ball into the net. Westella failed to build on this and in the 24^th minute the pacey Morley broke through the middle and fired a shot into the top corner. Westella immediately struck back after Darren McGrath turned a defender inside out and earned a free-kick down by the right side corner flag. Again Robinson curled the ball in towards the keeper and unbelievably the ball went straight in at the near post to make it 2-2. Ten minutes before half time the game boiled over somewhat and Lyons received his marching orders after kicking the Westella captain Herbert. Westella began to dominate for the remainder of the half but cold not find that finishing touch. The second half saw Westella go all out for the win, but never really troubled the St. Andrews goal. The winner came 20 minutes from time after another corner from the home side fell to Potts who bundled the ball into the net. Westella pressed hard but were never ever going to threaten the St. Andrews goal.