Cup Runneth Over

West End suffered their second successive cup exit in the space of eight days with defeat at the hands of the AFC Hykeham of Division Three. Despite being up against a very strong side West End took a shock lead with Dave Capps finding the net twice in the first half. Eventually the Hykeham onslaught paid off and they levelled the match just before half-time. In a rain-drenched second half Hykeham continued to boss the game and despite a string of great saves from Ben Sheehan the home side ran out 5-2 winners.

Line-up (4-3-3): Ben Sheehan; Dale Annous, Glen Wilson, Adrian Gray, Jez Ashberry; Sam Boothman, Joe Harper, Gav Sumner; Dave Capps, Dan Hill, John Moore

Man of the Match and Dick of the Day: no votes taken

West End Lose the AFC Derby

West End’s unbeaten 2007 came to an end at the hands of the league leaders but pride can be taken from a spirited performance in which AFC held the advantage for much of the second half. As expected AFC Hykeham took the lead, but a goal from Rich Dungworth brought West End level midway through the half, only for the home side to move 2-1 in front at the break. In the second half West End defied the odds and goals from Dave Capps and Gav Sumner put ‘the Beers’ in front. Some fine saves from Alec Waby helped protect the lead but Hykeham eventually found their way past the West End keeper with two late goals giving them a 4-3 win.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Alec Waby; Dan Cain, Shaun Hepple, Mike Smith, Stephen Pearce; Dave Capps, Gav Sumner, Glen Wilson, Jonny Dyas; Lee Matsell, Rich Dungworth
Substitute: Sam McDonnell

West End Hyked Out the Cup

Another chance for West End to test themselves against the division’s top side came in the second round of the Jock Mitchell Trophy. The opposition took the lead within the opening minute and continued to control the first half as they raced into a 4-0 lead before the break. Still West End can take encouragement from their second half performance, a goal from Sam McDonnel helping West End to match their opponents in the second period.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Matt Hinton; Jez Ashberry, Shaun Hepple, Mayur Patel, Jonny Dyas; John Moore, Glen Wilson, Gav Sumner, Phil Lodge; Lee Matsell, Rich Dungworth
Substitutes: Sam McDonnell, Dave Capps

Hykeham Hiding

West End faced league leaders AFC Hykeham on the West Common with the added disadvantage of having to name leading scorer Rich Dungworth in goal. However, despite the unfamiliarity of their starting line-up West End managed to restrict the division’s top side to a 4-1 win, Sam McDonnell scoring for AFC.

Starting Line-up (4-4-2): Rich Dungworth; Stephen Pearce, Mike Smith, Mayur Patel, Jez Ashberry; Jonny Dyas, Joe Harper, Shaun Hepple, Chris Dorling; Sam McDonnell, Dave Carver  
Substitutes: Andy Kirk, Luke Bedford