Toolstation NCEL Division One
Westella VIP 5-2 Eccleshill United
Chris Spinks (right) scored on his comeback appearance for Westella VIP
Westella VIP got 2016 off to the perfect start with a convincing win over Eccleshill United.
The game began at a frantic pace from VIP and on minutes minutes Andy Coverdale was brought down by the visiting keeper for a penalty. Alex Wood squeezed his shot under the keeper for 1-0.
The visitors immediately responded and home keeper Liam Taylor produced a brave save down to his right keeping the ball out.
On 10 minutes the visitors levelled, a left wing cross evaded the Westella defence and on hand was Eccleshill forward Adam Turner who headed home.
Before kick off had restarted Westella VIP took the lead through Wood who out jumped his marker and headed the ball in to the back of the net.
In similar fashion Eccleshill broke forward with an effort on goal only for Taylor in the VIP goal to be equal to it.
On the half hour mark, Eccleshill right back Ben Hardy scored a potential goal of the season, driving from deep and rifling a effort that flew in from 20 yards into the top corner.
Westella managed the last 15 minutes playing some good flowing football that saw new signing Brett Thomas have a header saved and shortly after captain Matt Fyvie had a volley saved.
Five minutes before the break VIP had a corner cleared, Chris Short delivered the ball only for Eccleshill’s Jordan Northin to head in to his own goal for 3-2.
Second half Westella produced a true performance of recent and stood firm to their defensive duties managing the game out whilst also pushing the tiring visitors deeper into their own defending area.
With 25 minutes remaining Brett Thomas was in the right place to fire home from close range.
Into the last five minutes the returning Chris Spinks picked the ball up and unleashed a thunderbolt that out shone the earlier effort from Hardy to give Westella VIP a valid 5-2 victory.
Westella VIP manager Leon Sewell: “This week as a club we had to say good bye to a true young gentleman in Rob Brown who did an awful lot for the club and more so myself.
“In testament the 5-2 win was for Rob and the Brown family.
“We now need to repeat our performance when we head to AFC Mansfield this Saturday“