FA Vase
Westella & Willerby 0-3 Irlam Town
Westella manager Leon Sewell
Westella & Willerby crashed out of the FA Vase, going down to a very impressive Manchester-based Irlam Town.
The game was lost in the opening 35 minutes for Westella as the visitors flew out of the traps running in to a 2-0 lead in the opening ten minutes. Westella struggled to keep hold of the ball seeing them get punished by ex-Manchester United youth player Matt Boland scoring both of their opening goals.
Shortly after Westella gained advantage with a free kick in the edge of the Irlam 18 yard box. Lewis Andrew stepped up and fired the ball at White in the Irlam goal who tipped the ball over for a corner, that would come to nothing for the hosts.
On the half hour mark Westella should of pulled one back. A ball over the top saw Zak Oakshott get in behind the Irlam defence and cross the ball for Chris Short who could only shoot into White’s hands for a comfortable save.
Ten minutes before half time Boland stepped up to complete his hat-trick showing all how to score from a free kick 20 yards out with a top corner effort that flew in leaving Westella keeper Exall with no chance.
The second half saw the visitors change their approach playing many diagonal balls in behind that failed to come to anything with the Westella defence of Oakshott, Fyvie, Giblin and Hewitt dealings with any aerial threat.
On 70 minutes Danny Holiday went through one on one with White, only to lob his effort inches wide.
Westella continued to battle away with some good passing play that saw them gain another free kick just out side of the visitors area. Andrews going inches wide with the set piece.
What They Said
Westella & Willerby manager Leon Sewell
“The game was a free hit for us today as we need to concentrate on our league campaign, what’s most disappointing for me is we didn’t do the basics right in the first half an hour gifting them three goals from our mistakes.
“In a way the game was lost in the opening 35 minutes.
“At half time a few words where said with a few challenges put in place for the lads to aim for and credit to them they did what was asked of them.
“Credit to Irlam, they where a very good footballing side with some very good players including Matt Boland who helped himself to three goals.”