Westfields 4 Stafford Town 0

WESTFIELDS returned to winning ways after three successive defeats and consolidated their Midlands Alliance mid-table ranking with a fine performance against struggling Stafford, aided by a brace of penalties from Mark Hibbard.

The Hereford club dominated the opening half, but were denied a substantial interval lead by a string of superb saves from goalkeeper Rob Plant.

He made point-blank saves from Hibbard and Robbie Weaver until beaten from the spot by Hibbard in the 42nd minute after Derek Craddock was bundled off the ball.

After the interval Fields continued to control the game and Plant did well to stop a Craddock pile-driver with an acrobatic save.

Hibbard stepped up to bag a second penalty with a cheeky chip after a James Watkins cross was handled in the box and, although Stafford briefly threatened to get back into the game, they were denied when Pugh made a brilliant one-handed diving save from Adam McMahon.

Stafford's task was made harder when Darren Phillips was sent off after inappropriate comments to the referee, and Westfields took advantage to complete victory with an excellent headed goal from Scott Jackson and a fine drive from Weaver.

Barwell 1 Westfields 0

A mistake by Scott Jackson proved costly as Westfields bowed out of the Midland Alliance League Cup at the first hurdle.

The city side made a bright opening against their Leicestershire opponents when James Watkins rattled the crossbar and Mark Hibbard had a shot cleared off the line.

In the second period, home goalkeeper David Sharpe produced two brilliant saves, denying Watkins and Robbie Weaver before the decisive goal on 65 minutes.

Jackson attempted to head back to goalkeeper Jon Pugh but Andrew Tiday nipped in to intercept and drove in the vital goal.

Pugh then produced a brilliant save and Alex Winstone cleared acrobatically off the line from Scott Clamp while at the other end Westfields were unable to break down an well-organised home rearguard.