Replay needed to separate Westfields and Shawbury

9:12am Thursday 20th November 2008

Shawbury United 2 Westfields 2 WESTFIELDS earned a home replay with West Midlands Premier League opponents Shawbury United after gaining a 2-2 draw in a pulsating second round tie of the FA Vase.

The allpay.park side took the lead on 15 minutes after Mark Hibbard had been brought down just outside the penalty area. Gareth Thomas blasted home the resulting free-kick through the Shawbury wall.

After goalkeeper Jon Pugh had made two fine saves, the home side equalised from a simple chance when the Westfields defence got into a tangle. Just before half-time leading scorer Mark Davis nearly restored the advantage but his powerful header and low drive were both saved.

Shawbury forged into the lead when their striker got clear of the defence to slot the ball past the advancing Pugh.

But Westfields kept battling away and deservedly drew level on the hour-mark. The home goalkeeper dropped a harmless looking cross from Paul Allam and Jamie Upcott was on hand to nudge the ball over the line.

In the dying minutes of normal time, Davis managed to get free of the defence but his chipped shot was saved and the game went into extra time.

Pugh made another good save, Upcott fired wide after Davis and Jamie Cuss had engineered an opening for him and Davis nearly snatched the winner when his volley flew just wide of the upright.

But defences held firm and the game finished all square.

l In midweek Westfields gained their first away Midland Alliance point of the season with a 2-2 draw at Oldbury United. Allam and Upcott scored the goals.