Toolstation NCEL Division One
Westella & Willerby 5-4 Eccleshill United
Former Rossington man Zak Oakshott the winner for Westella
Four goal hero Danny Walker and Zak Oakshott helped clinch a dramatic victory for Westella, helping them climb out of the relegation zone.
Westella started the game at a great tempo playing some attractive football on a very heavy pitch whilst the visitors adapted to playing surface, Walker fired just wide from a tight angle with the visiting goal keeper beaten.
Moments later home keeper Lewis Exall was called into action producing a fine save to keep the visitors at bay. From the resulting corner the visitors took the lead, the ball half cleared fell to Sam Bradley who had the ease of finishing under no pressure.
From the immediate kick off with the visitors still celebrating their lead, Andy Jackson cut in off him wing and played Walker through one on one coolly slotting the ball through the keepers leg for 1-1.
Twelve minutes played and a debateable freekick to the visitors saw Westella switch off and get punished for as the ball landed at the feet of Luke Harrop to finish for 2-1 Eccleshill.
Both sides continued to give possession of the ball away as Walker’s half volley flew inches wide of the goal. Walker was soon to put his side on level terms. As some fine interplay between Andy Jackson and Mike Pecora saw Walker go through and finish neatly.
So incredibly it was 2-2 with only 21 minutes played. Just before half time Westella had shouts of a penalty turned down as Walker played Pecora through who was brought down with referee Ryan Lowe waving play on.
The second half would produce a further five goals. The visitors making the most of a corner on 52 minutes as Alex Cusack fired home again from close range for 3-2.
On the hour mark midfielder Chris Short stepped up to take a free kick 20 yards out that brought a good save to the left hand side of the keeper. Lewis Exall in the home goal was yet again called in to action producing a top class double save low to his right hand side first with his hand and secondly with his outstretched leg keeping his side in the game.
Walker repaid Exall in goal, attacking with pace picking the ball up and sliding it home in to the bottom corner for Westella’s third and his hat trick for the day.
However Walker wasn’t done, with 10 minutes to play Walker timed his run to perfection going one on one prodding the ball past the keeper seeing his effort hit the post and come back to him with the easy finish for 4-3.
Eccleshill weren’t quite done as the lively Matty Waller picked the ball up out wide cutting inside and firing into the far top corner for 4-4 on 83 minutes.
A real test of character for both sides to not give anything away in the game saw some edgy moment.
Westella gained the advantage and the winner on 87 minutes, with Short delivering the corner for centre back Oakshott to put his header into the back of the net.
What They Said
Westella & Willerby manager Leon Sewell
“What a great win for the lads and club today, in difficult conditions on a poor playing surface it was a real test of character for us.
“To go behind three times and fight back and eventually win the game the way we did was brilliant.
“All of the lads put in a superb shift today but credit must go to Danny Walker for getting four goals, his work rate and link up play with Mike Pecora was second to none.
“Where still not out of trouble despite moving up a place but it gives us added confidence in going to our next game.”