West won their final league match of the season, although they certainly made hard work of it. As in recent weeks they began slowly and were struggling to retain possession, and it was Everett who had the first clear effort which was a great shot heading for the top right corner of the goal until Martin Robinson made an excellent save to tip the ball wide of the post. West began to improve though and soon after a great run and shot from Scott Howlett was unlucky not to go in as it hit the crossbar but bounced down onto the line and back into play.

An opening goal finally came though as Chris Welch fed Jamie Heaffey who made it 1-0 from close range. Before half time further chances arrived that could have doubled the lead as Jamie hit a great shot from the edge of the area but it went just wide, while Matt fed a good through ball also to Jamie but the Everett keeper made a good save from the resulting shot. George Figg was also unlucky to hit the post and see the ball run along the goal line and frustratingly no one could get a foot on it.

The second half began much as the first ended as West continued to create chances that went just wide or the keeper saved, but Everett didn’t give up and equalized with a powerful shot that gave Martin no chance. This shocked the West boys into raising their game further and they soon took the lead again after a loose ball in the area was met by Chris whose shot hit the bar, but this time it bounced down and into the goal. Charlie Rainsford’s strong shot could have added to the lead but the Everett keeper saved well, but West soon made it 3-1 as Tom Weaver superbly headed in a good cross from Jamie.

Further chances to increase the lead fell to the boys but their finishing was not up to their usual standard, and with a minute left on the clock the West’s defence (who up to then had performed well) made an error as they waited for an offside decision that didn’t arrive, and this allowed an Everett player to run free and shoot to made it 3-2.

 

Blessed with a world class referee (Alan!!) this game flowed well from end to end, and  although the score line suggests the game was tight, in terms of performance the boys played some good football to create plenty of openings, while some better finishing would have made the winning margin a lot wider.

The result means the U13 West team move up to second but will come at least third in the final league table depending on other results.