This top-of-the-table clash was a crackerjack of a match with the proverbial “six pointer” outcome. Westend brought a strong team, a strong attitude and a near hysterical touchline team. Their number 8 seemed intent on disrupting the flow of the game by playing the “wounded soldier routine” and claiming to be the victim of some hefty challenges by the home side. In fact, he was first to leave his foot in but also first to be writhing on the floor – his own number 3 was the one to tell him to stop his anti-football tactics. Westend took an early lead after 7 minutes when their 2 forwards appeared to illegally block the Diggle centre back as they ran onto a long ball but the referee didn’t see it that way and one of them slotted home.

Stone had already been one-on-one with the keeper in the first minute and it was hoped that it would not be a day when Diggle would rue their missed opportunities. Diggle were playing with confidence and launched a series of attacks down the wings where Hayes and Godard were in fine form. They got their deserved equaliser on 18 minutes when Fitzgerald latched onto a loose ball in the area and drilled a low shot goalward. The ‘keeper got a hand to it but the power of the shot was too much to prevent the goal.

HT 1-1

The game was well set for a thrilling second half and Diggle took the early advantage when Stone raced through the Westend defence and this time he converted his one-on-one opportunity (50 min). The next 15 minutes saw both defences come under pressure but with little to show for their endeavours. Westend had a good shout for a penalty turned down as the Diggle ‘keeper Pooley dived at the feet of the Westend forward clipping his heels. The referee was 40 yards away and had no way of knowing whether the ‘keeper got a touch and the appeal was turned down. The Westend forward would later say that he was not in control of the ball so maybe it was not as clear as first looked.

Pooley then damaged his shoulder and Padgham came off the bench to take the ‘keeper’s gloves. Padge was a ‘keeper in his teenage years but they appeared to be in the distant past as he had a nervous first few minutes between the posts. Westend looked to increase the pressure on the Diggle defence and scored their equalising goal as Marshall was beaten to a through ball and Padge hesitated coming off his line. The Westend forward nicked it past the ‘keeper and clipped into the empty net.

Immediately Westend made 2 substitutions before the re-start and had positioned 5 up front with the message from the touchline being to go for the win. Diggle went straight down the other end and scored what would be the winner. Simpson fed  Hayes who crossed from the right, the ball was helped across by Stone to find Fitzgerald on the edge of the area in acres of space who proceeded to volley with his left foot into the top corner. It was a goal deserving of being the winner and capped a man-of-the-match performance from Fitzy .

Westend would have a couple of chances before the final whistle but could not get back into the game.

MOM  Adam Fitzgerald