Photo Credit: Wayne Hudson
Many of us will remember Alan Hansen’s famous line, ‘you don’t win anything with kids’. In some ways, it’s right, but when you mix the excitement of youth, with experience, it can be a daunting combination for opponents in football.
That’s what Westfields manager Phil Glover appears to have put together this season. With the addition of goalkeeper Jack Oxenham from Hereford Pegasus and Harrison Summers re-joining the club after a spell at Hereford FC, adding to plenty of quality youngsters already in the squad such as Harry Pitman, Teddy Mee, Cameron Davies and Archie Muirhead, it really does feel like Westfields is a great club for young players to get their first real taste of men’s football.
When you add this youthful group to more experienced players such as players like Kane Kahaki, Adam Newbury and Joel Edwards, you really do have a side that could challenge anyone at this level, and we haven’t even mentioned Ollie Barnes goals and Daniel Stoneman’s frightening ability yet!
Ollie Barnes is currently the joint top scorer in the league, on six goals so far this season, alongside Jadyn Crosbie from Mangotsfield Town. Although Matt MacDonald’s hat-trick on Saturday sees him just one goal behind. Dan Stoneman has also been pitching in with goals, with three so far this season a good tally from the wide position that he usually plays.
One thing is for sure, Phil Glover has put together a side that will give anyone a game on their day, with recent wins against the likes of Tuffley Rovers, Hereford Lads Club and Worcester City, putting them second in the Hellenic League Premier Division, in addition to progressing in the FA Vase.
Off the field, the club is also pushing forward, with plans to improve the clubhouse and tarmac areas of the ground to improve the facilities even further for those visiting Allpay Park. The Airband Executive Suite is booked up for the season, with hospitality at Westfields second to none. (We don’t think we’ve ever heard anyone complain about it!)
Whilst nobody at the club will be shouting, or even mentioning the word promotion yet, it does feel like this could be Westfields best opportunity for several seasons, to really push for top spot, or a play off place come the end of March/April.
Westfields are on the road on Friday, with an away fixture at Slimbridge who sit 7th in the Hellenic League Premier Division table at present.
In addition to focusing on the league, the club will be hoping to defend its Herefordshire FA County Challenge Cup crown, when they travel to Wellington in October. Westfields beat Hereford Pegasus in the final last season, but will face a tough task against a Wellington side with plenty of new additions, including former Lads Club players Zac Sirrell and Levi Ellis, plus other gifted players such as Luke Griffiths, who used to play for Hereford Pegasus.
