Sucker punch brings FA Vase misery for battling Wood

FA Vase First Round

Walsall Wood 0

Westfields 2

WOOD were dumped out of the FA Vase by higher league opposition Westfields at Oak Park on Saturday despite producing a performance that deserved more than they got.

On a very windy afternoon, Wood started brightly and had an opportunity to open the scoring on 31 minutes when Ahmet Bilgimer turned in the box but shot narrowly wide.

Wood were hit with a sucker punch on 38 minutes as Westfields' first real attack of the game led to their opener.

A good ball out wide caught Wood out and as a pinpoint cross was hung up into the box, the Westfields striker headed downwards and though keeper Rollins kept it out, the loose ball was bundled home.

Wood maintained their tempo after the break and created several good chances. Danny Owen and Brett Larkins both went close with 25-yard drives.

But on 68 minutes, Wood were dealt another blow as a floated free kick from just inside the Wood half caught the wind and Rollins could only claw the ball into his own net.

Despite this setback, Wood kept going and thought they had a lifeline on 78 minutes when Bilgimer's 25-yard drive found the back of the net but the referee had blown for a handball by Bilgimer.

Wood first team coach Andy Roper said: "Naturally, it's bitterly disappointing to lose but when you consider that both teams we have played in this competition are from a higher league, we have acquitted ourselves excellently.

"We have proved we could compete admirably in higher leagues."