Westwood hit back to maintain momentum

Published 19 Oct 2009 12:00 0 Comments

Share this

IN-FORM Westwood United moved themselves onto the tails of the chasing pack as they hit back from an early deficit to see off Frilsham & Yattendon 2-1.

After starting their campaign with two defeats - including an opening day 4-2 reverse at Frilsham - 2007/08 champions Westwood have now won four of their last five to state their title credentials.

Early on it looked as though it would be Frilsham celebrating a league double over their hosts, however, as Nicholas Chanders gave them a fourth minute lead.

But a big part of the Westwood revival has been the improved form of prolific strike pairing Ashley Baynham and Ryan Adams.

And it was the same two the visitors were left thanking again as each found the net to give their side all three points.

SANDHURST Devels bounced back to form after three games without a win, seeing off Woodcote/Stoke Row 3-0 to move above their opponents into second spot in the Senior Division.

A return to winning ways for the Devels now sees them heading a logjam of six teams separated by a single point behind inactive leaders Reading YMCA.

The early exchanges between two of the division's most improving sides were fairly even, but it was the Devels who made the breakthrough in the 17th minute.

Goalkeeper Richard Ball's free-kick was inadvertently flicked on by Woodcote defender Chris Clark straight into the path Richard Steel, and he coolly rounded Ross Brown in the visitors' goal to slot home the opener.

Woodcote piled forward in search of the equaliser, but the league's top scorer Toby Nowell and his team-mates were kept at bay by Sandhurst's defence and Ball, who was called upon to make several fine saves.

And the home side had even more cause to thank their keeper eight minutes before half-time when they doubled their advantage.

With James Worsfold off the pitch receiving treatment, Devels exploited the space down the Woodcote right, with Craig Murray bursting into the box before being chopped down by a last ditch tackle from Carl Smith.

It was a clear penalty, and Nick Phillips calmly stepped up to dispatch it with ease and ensure a two-goal lead for his side at the break.

Woodcote manager Pete McAlister adjusted his side's formation for the second 45 minutes as they looked to get back into the game.

But Devels were matching them all over the pitch and the visitors were unable to create any clearcut chances.

And in the final minute, Devels got the third goal their domination deserved, the excellent Dave Shearman heading in Murray's left wing cross from six yards out.

And a dejected McAlister reflected: "We were poor and the attitude from a lot of our players was well below what I expect.

"I will be looking for all of them to take responsibility and get our results back on track against Taplow next week.

"But credit to Sandhurst who played hard but fair and totally deserved their three points."

Devels enjoyed one of the biggest wins in their short history on Tuesday evening when they defeated Combined Counties League neighbours Sandhurst Town 2-1 in the Aldershot Senior Cup.

Ally Reid and Dave Shearman put Devels into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes, and although David Blake pulled one back for the Fizzers, it was the Devels who advanced to round two.

For all the rest of the news from the Reading League, including al the latest tables, see this week's Reading Chronicle.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @rdgchronicle