Ten men of Westfields frustrate City

It was a frustrating night for City as Westfields stole all three points, despite the home side's dominance and a number of chances in the second half, ending their recent winning run.

Pre-match, manager Chris Cornes made three changes from the FA Cup win over the same side on Saturday, with Saturday's hero Kirk Layton coming in to the starting eleven along with the returning Izak Reid and Calvin Dinsley, replacing Sheehan, Thompson Brown and Hart. New signing Jamie Insall was also named on the bench after being announced earlier in the day, to lots of fan excitement.

The first half in a lot of ways mirrored what fans had seen from Saturday's fixture, with both sides creating little in terms of chances but a number of yellow cards dished out by the referee. The half seemed to be petering out as Joel Edwards received treatment for the away side and was eventually replaced by Jay Richmond. City forced a corner and skipper Adam Mace delivered towards the back post where unmarked, Kirk Layton managed to poke to ball into the back of the net to make it two goals in two games against the same opposition, with the last kick of the first half.

Neither manager decided to make any changes in personnel to their teams at half-time but Westfields were able to hit back immediately to level. Goalkeeper Isaac Parry made a good save from a Westfields effort but the ball fell to Oli Barnes who was able to prod home.

Cornes introduced Dylan Hart and Jamie Insall just before the hour mark, the latter for his debut in a City shirt, and the game seemed to swing in City's favour following a moment of madness from Westfields substitute Adam Wakely. He had only been on the pitch for maybe a minute before launching a boot into Layton's knee, receiving a straight red card from the referee.

A flurry of chances followed for the home side, with Cameron Monteith hitting the post before the referee ruled out a Calvin Dinsley header a few minutes later for a supposed foul on a Westfields defender, to much bemusement of the City fans behind the goal.

City continued to press for a winner but it was Westfields who broke up the pitch in added time. The away side won a throw-in deep into City's half, and Steve Davies hit a half volley on the turn that looped over Parry and into the back of the net. The home side continued to push for an equaliser with Insall striking just over with what would have been his first goal for the club, but it was City left ruing missed chances and recording their first loss of the season.

Attentions now turn to the FA Vase clash with AFC Bridgnorth this Saturday where we look to get back to winning ways, followed by an away trip in the league down the A449 to Worcester Raiders next Wednesday.