Toolstation NCEL Division One
Westella & Willerby 3-0 Shirebrook Town
Recovering Westella & Willerby moved out of the relegation zone with an excellent win over struggling Shirebrook Town – their second success in a row.
The opening five minutes saw the visitors camped in their own half as Westella plied large amounts of pressure. A cross from Busilana Kashilembo saw full back Zak Oakshott attack the far post and head home putting his side into a 1-0 lead.
The visitors had some brief periods of play but superb defending by Oakshott, Bagshaw, Flounders and Hewitt cancelled out any immediate danger.
Westella playing some neat football saw a phase of play switch from left to right as Andrews and Bennett played a neat one two, Bennett crossing dangerously for Kashilembo to volley on target drawing a fine save from the visiting keeper.
Two minutes later and Chris Short showed everyone how to find the net, Andrews the provider playing inside to Short dropped his shoulder 20 yards out and superbly curled the ball in to the top corner for 2-0.
The second half started in similar fashion as the first with Westella putting the visitors under pressure with a couple of half chances going wide of the target.
On the hour mark Mike Pecora and Tom Bennett where replaced by the energetic Harry Earl and Danny Holiday who both made an instant impact on the game. Earl playing some advancing balls forward and Holiday driving at his full back gave Westella the extra drive needed as Shirebrook pushed to get something out of the game.
Soon after the hardworking Josh Walker was replaced by Danny Moore who put a presence on the visiting defence putting pressure on them whilst trying to play out from the back.
On 65 minutes Short delivered an inch perfect corner to the back post and on hand was Oakshott who fired narrowly wide and into the side netting.
With 15 minutes left to play Kashilembo caused his full back problems again driving the ball across the face of the visitors goal and arriving on time was Holiday to fire home his first of the season and Westella’s third of the night ensuring the win was Westella’s.
What They Said
Westella & Willerby manager Leon Sewell
“Saturday’s result at Worsbrough was only worth the three points providing we won tonight and we won in a professional manner.
”Having to play two centre midfielders at centre back is not ideal but Bagshaw and Flounders are experienced players the dealt with everything Shirebrook through at us.
”Our attacking play in the final third of the pitch was superb and we deservedly scored 3 great goals.
”Most importantly we kept a clean sheet which is testament to the way the lads defended from the top through the team, the win certainly gives us even more confidence as we move away from the bottom of the league.”