Two first-half set-pieces to keep Westfields on the road to Wembley in the FA Carlsberg Vase (From Hereford Times)

Westfields captain Scott Jackson and fellow centrehalf Phil Glover heading in two first-half set-pieces against Dudley Town

3:32pm Thursday 29th September 2011 in Reports

SEAN EDWARDS gave his skipper a blast in the prematch team-talk but was delighted to be eating his own words at the final whistle.

Westfields captain Scott Jackson and fellow centrehalf Phil Glover took a verbal volley from the boss for not getting on the end of free kicks.

But the duo came up trumps, heading in two first-half set-pieces to keep Westfields on the road to Wembley in the FA Carlsberg Vase.

“Phil and I took a bit of hammering before the match about not getting on the end of things so it was great to show Eddo that we can still do it,” said 32-yearold Jackson.

“We took four points off Coalville last season and they got to the FA Vase final, and you just need a few lucky rounds in this competition and anything can happen.”

Higher-graded Westfields created a host of early opportunities in last Saturday’s second qualifying round tie before Glover deservedly headed them into an 11th-minute lead.

A short-corner was swung over to the back post by Adam Newbury and the tall Glover planted a downward header into the net.

Carl Morgan, Newbury and Joel Edwards fired wide for Westfields before Dudley almost levelled against the run of play when Todd Warner’s shot flashed past a post on 25 minutes.

Westfields continued to pass the ball superbly, creating plenty of openings and they should have been out of sight by half-time.

With Aiden Thomas influential, the hosts doubled their advantage two minutes before the break.

Jackson headed in Craig Jones’ inswinging free-kick to give the hosts a two-goal half-time cushion.

Dudley pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Warner beat Jamie Moore to a deep cross and bravely headed home.

The visitors grew in confidence and forced Westfields on to the back foot for a 10- minute spell.

However, Westfields regained control.

Dudley goalkeeper Luke Cunningham made fine saves from Edwards’ deflected shot and Jones’ free-kick to keep his side in the tie.

But Westfields continued to threaten and sealed their place in the first round with seven minutes left.

With the Dudley management claiming the ball had run out of play, substitute Chris Fower, a former Oxford United apprentice, remained unfazed.

The Hartpury College student raced down the right before crossing for Jones to sweep the ball into the net from close range.

Boss Edwards praised his experienced skipper’s display.

“Scott Jackson is a leader – you can have all the young lads in the world – but you need leadership,”

said Edwards.“Without leadership, you have nobody taking you forward.

“It’s Scott’s ninth season at the club so he’s got one more before he wants a testimonial.

But I’ve told him he will be lucky if he gets a Disney watch never mind a carriage clock.”

Last season, Westfields reached the third round of the Vase before crashing out to Billingham Synthonia.

They will travel to Midland Alliance rivals Tividale, who defeated Wellington, in the first round proper on Saturday, October 22.

Edwards said: “Tividale have come up to our division this year. We’ve played them once already at their place and it was a hardfought game which finished 1-1.”

Edwards: We might be top but we’re not firing on all cylinders WESTFIELDS might be top of the Midland Alliance table – but boss Sean Edwards believes there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

“We’ve built up the team over a few years and we’ve got a good squad of players,”

said Edwards.

“I still don’t think we’re firing on all cylinders yet.

I don’t think we’ve played as well as last season.”

Edwards said the players’ and management’s focus is on one thing this term.

“We want the league title this year – that’s what we’re training for and I think we have the players to do it,” he said.

“The players really want it and believe they can do it this year but there will be a lot of twists and turns.

However, if the squad sticks at it, we will be all right.”

Skipper Scott Jackson says the team are more focused this season.

MATCH FACTS WESTFIELDS: Moore, Aldrich (Harris, 75 min) Edwards, Glover, Jackson, Newbury, Jones, Thomas, Addis (Andrews, 84 min), Kear (Fower, 80 min), Morgan.

Subs not used: Matt Gwynne, Dingri.

DUDLEY: Cunningham, Langford, Watkins (Arnold, 85 min), Love, Whitley, Perry, Warner, Cross, Hadlington (Francis-Mills, 50 min), Store, Ludlow. Subs not used: Richards, Williams, Faux Westfields: Addis, 45, foul. Dudley: Store, 44, foul; Love 73, foul; Perry, 83, foul.

Referee: Gary Walker (Redditch).