WESTFIELDS midfielder Antony Robbins says Hereford's blip in form proves how tough the Midland Football League Premier Division is.

The allpay.park side were thrashed 4-1 at home to Lye Town last week and will aim to put that right this weekend when they host Quorn.

Robbins was part of the Westfields team that narrowly beat his former club Pegasus Juniors 1-0 in last Saturday's all-Hereford FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round tie.

"Going off different forums about the league, you can see there are six or seven really decent sides and with Hereford coming in as well, everyone is going to be taking points off everyone, so we're not too disheartened about the result last Tuesday," said Robbins.

"I've listened to a few of their fans who were saying that they would walk the league, so I think the last two games is a bit of a wake-up call for them.

"It's not a pretty league, it's very physical and very demanding.

"May be getting in young players in who are good footballers, may be they need men who have played in this league and they haven't got that at the moment."

Robbins felt Pegasus played well and could easily have forced a replay.

"I thought it was quite even in the first half but just before half-time we scored a goal and I thought that was the right time," he said.

"But fair play to Peggy, they gave us a real good game.

"They have got a few old players that I know but they've also got quite a few young players and they seem to have adapted quite well.

"I've settled in straight away at Westfields, I had a bit of an injury in pre-season so have only played the last two games so am trying to get my feet back into the side and get some minutes.

"But I'm really enjoying it and it's good to be back."

Westfields assistant-manager Nathan Rivers, who was in charge of the side in the absence of Sean Edwards, also felt Pegasus played well.

"It was always going to be a hard game early on in the season," said Rivers.

"They've got a brand new manager and are a young side.

"I thought they played extremely well and really made us work hard for it.

"We managed to get the goal and it changed the shape of the team a bit because they had to come out in the second half so we had a bit more of the ball."

The decisive goal was scored by James Febery, who was on hand to knock the ball in from Jamie Cuss' cross just before half-time.

"You could say it was scrappy, but the bottom line is that we got to the far post and he managed to get in there and hit at the near post," said Rivers.

"We kept the ball alive in the dangerous area.

"It's not going to win any awards, but they all count."

Westfields will be at home again in the next round when they face Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division One South side Kidsgrove Athletic on August 29.

"It'll be a tough game, but it's always nice to be at home because you don't have to travel," said Rivers,

"It was a tough game last Tuesday night and it was a real hard one to take early on in the season.

"But we bounced back in a tough game against local rivals, so it was nice to get a win and hopefully push on for Saturday against Quorn in the league."

Both Westfields and Pegasus struggled to create any real chances in the opening stages, with a couple of Craig Jones free-kicks being comfortably saved by Pegasus goalkeeper Josh Loade.

The away side defended stoutly and were unlucky to go in the break 1-0 down.

And it was James Edmonds' team who were the the better team in the second half and got into the Westfields half on a number of occasions.

But it was Westfields who had the best chance when Loade had to pull off a fantastic save to deny Craig Jones' volley from just outside the area after Tom Boyle cut the ball back.

"It was a great bit of play from us and I thought that would have been an outstanding goal on the volley, but he's pulled off an outstanding save," said Rivers.

"If it wasn't for the keeper, I think we would have been a bit more comfortable in the last five to 10 minutes."

There was still time for Josh Rodgers to try his luck for Pegasus, but his shot was blocked and Westfields held on for the win.

MATCH FACTS

Westfields: Delve, Tambling, Kahaki, Saunston, Febery, Robbins, Jones, Cuss, Birch (Evans 78), Reeve, Thomas (Boyle 83).

Subs not used: Palmer, Glover, Berry, Sirrell, Robinson.

Pegasus: Loade, Taylor, Hughes, Craddock, Mowen, Allam, Lear (Rogers 80), Panniers (Watkins 62), Mortlock, Hawkins, Price (Davies 84).

Subs not used: Horton, Edmonds, Wynn, Phillips.

Referee: John Price.

Bookings: Westfields – Reeve, 55min, foul.

Attendance: 247