A goal from Ryan Allen three minutes into stoppage time strengthened Westfield’s challenge for the title of the Somerset County League Division 1 East after a competitive local derby at Timsbury. It was harsh on the home side who had battled hard against a side who have lost just once in the present campaign.
Timsbury made a dream start taking the lead in the very first minute. Ryan Cook raced clear to beat Chris Wright for his 37th goal of the season. It could have been even better for them just a minute later when Westfield cleared off the line with Wright beaten.
By the fifth minute Westfield were level, however. Allen pulled the ball back and Alfie Dix struck a confident shot past Jack Scrivens in the home goal. Free-kicks in promising positions for Timsbury by Ellis Hancock and Ebner Heatley came to nothing while an effort at the other end from Beau Baber was easily held by Scrivens.
Jimmy Hailston then embarked on a good run down the left for the home side but his final shot went just wide. As Timsbury pressed a well-struck shot from Jack Nix produced a good save from Wright while Hailston hooked over the bar after an accurate cross from Lewis Blannin. Baber then threatened again for the visitors but was denied by a timely tackle from Callum Taylor who had an excellent game for the home side.
Early in the second half a testing cross from Cook was held comfortably by Wright. An effort from Allen then brought Scrivens into action while Cook shot wide for the home side and Heatley headed over the top. A speculative shot from distance from Sam Gregory for Westfield was wide of the post while a long free-kick from Bradley Beauchamp finished safely in the hands of Scrivens. As the game moved into stoppage time Westfield grabbed the winner when a rare defensive mistake left Allen clear and he took the chance with aplomb.
Malcolm Tucker