Field squeeze through- whilst Villa deliver a masterclass

Second place Westfield secured home advantage in Sunday’s Promotion Final- but they had to work extremely hard to do so, eventually triumphing over AFC Portchester on penalties in front of five hundred and sixty three fans. 

The two previous meetings between the sides this season had brought fifteen goals, and we thought that this one might go the same way when Westfield took the lead in the first minute, Imran Kayani opening the scoring. The Royals took only two minutes to hit back, Ryan Pennery grabbing an equaliser from the spot, and then…the scoring stopped. There was no shortage of drama, but no more goals- although perhaps we should have had one, the hosts failing from the spot fifteen minutes from time. 

They would soon have to do better, the match heading to a penalty shootout. Both sides missed their third penalty, and then things remained level until the visitors missed their seventh- Field triumphing seven-six. 

Image from IDJ Bell. 

Hanworth Villa were the hosts for Moneyfields. Third place Villa finished the campaign only one point above their visitors, but were confident after defeating the Moneys both home and away- and they eased through to the Final with a five-one victory.

The Moneys took the lead on twelve minutes, Alfie Bridgman breaching the best defence in the Division- and in doing so they poked a hornets nest. Guy Ansah-Palmer drew the hosts level ten minutes later, and six minutes after that they were ahead, Brandon Chebby making it two. Just before the break Ansah-Palmer struck again, heading home for three-one, and, despite the best efforts of the visitors, a long distance effort from Ben Mulley made it four six minutes from time. The torture didn’t end for the visitors, as deep in added time Liam Ferdinand added a fifth. 

Seven hundred and forty seven watched on.

This will be Villa’s third Play Off Final in four Isthmian seasons. The previous two saw them fall to away defeat, but they’ll be determined to make it third time lucky.