Westfield and Wheatley draw

WITH only four games remaining Wheatley are now virtually assured of promotion to the Wharfedale Triangle Premier Division following this hard-earned point at fellow promotion hopefuls Westfield.

After a shaky spell around the turn of the year Wheatley have returned to the kind of form which earned them their place at the head of the table last autumn.

For Westfield Chew and Gary Marshall combined well in the early stages on the left with Marshall's crosses begging for a striker to convert them but try as they did Sutherland and Winterburn were inches wide or had their efforts saved by the 'keeper.

On twenty minutes Wheatley had their best chance of the half when Mark Powell's free-kick was partially cleared to Nick Beanland his shot was clawed at by the 'keeper. On the goalline Paul Wintersgill and Rick Eldridge proved that too many cooks spoil the broth as neither could force the loose ball home.

At the other end Wheatley produced one of their best defensive performances of the season as they stood up to several dangerous dead balls with Powell, Nick Hartley, Jim Dale and Richard Lord all outstanding. Even when their efforts were not enough Nick Sheard was in sensational form in goal.

In terms of possession Westfield dominated the second-half but both sides seemed lacking in attacking ideas.Westfield substitutes Craig Marshall and Danny Hall continually sought to break the deadlock and Marshall went the closest when his shot through a ruck of players was pushed round the post.

Wheatley's midfield of Steve Haw, Tim Fendyke, Tony Hartley and Paul Wintersgill worked hard but Wintersgill was the only one able to provide any real attacking threat. On 75 minutes with the game seemingly set for stalemate Wheatley snatched what they must have thought would be the winner. Powell's corner was cleared to Fendyke who set up Eldridge whose deflected shot eluded the 'keeper.

This goal however signalled more Westfield pressure and in the final minute of the game a corner by Yates, who had worked tirelessly in midfield, was nodded past Sheard by Chew for the equaliser.

Whilst it was disappointing for Wheatley to concede a last minute equaliser a draw was a fair result and both sides should secure promotion. Every Wheatley player deserves credit, particularly Sheard who made a string of outstanding saves.

Westfield can only win their remaining fixtures and hope that Wheatley slip up on the run in to the championship.

l On Sunday Westfield have an away game and players shopuld meet at the Factory Workers Club at 9.30 am.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.