Leicester Westleigh Mens 1s Achieve Promotion!

Westleigh 1| 2-0 | Atherstone Adders 2

Westleigh were desperate to get three points against a keen Adders side at the fortress, in a game that would severely damage any hope of Westleigh becoming champions, if they were to come away with anything but three points. In a surprise turn of events, Westleigh found themselves with 13 players, rather a luxury for a Westleigh side that had lacked players in the two tight, previous fixtures.

Resultantly, Westleigh would remain relatively well refreshed and would fight until the very end in a hard fought match. The game would find its pinnacle at the very end, but to suggest that the first and majority of the second half weren’t spectacles would be vastly wrong. A key battle in the game was both wingers against the full backs as the wings were highly utilised in a game that saw Adders sit back and soak up pressure, applied well by the Westleigh front line. Noon and Chadwick combined well to create a couple of fleeting chances but no notable chances were made, other than in the first ten, where Baldwin’s stray touch saw the opposition players quickly close down what appeared a magnificent turn. One of the most contentious decisions, and memorable moments, saw Chadwick go in behind after another delightful aerial from Wimbury but an artfully placed leg from the full back saw him go sprawling on to the hallowed turf of the fortress with very little to be done.

As soon as the second half commenced, Westleigh were on the front foot, but once again failing to capitalise from key chances falling Fleming, Murphy and Baldwin’s way. With 5 minutes to go and the score line at nil, Westleigh frustrations were more than at boiling point. In times of need, and this was certainly a time of need for Westleigh, a saviour is required and would arrive in the form of a Smith smack. The goal was a thing of beauty potentially enhanced by the pure relief it delivered. It was a cross goal hit greeted with a resounding clunk as it found the bottom left corner, however with minutes left in the game Westleigh wouldn’t have cared how it went in just the goal itself was satisfying enough.

Westleigh were not done there yet though, as a delicate chip over the goalkeeper from Murphy guaranteed Westleigh the much needed three points as they chase the title. Celebrations were rife with Fleming seemingly losing all semblance of reality, ironic really as he could have made Westleigh celebrate considerably earlier but fluffed the chance. All in all, Westleigh have claimed all three points and that's what mattered today, even if it wasn’t in typical Westleigh fashion. Not looking to curse or have any impact on the end of the seasons affairs, with two games to go, but these three points were certainly crucial and may be the deciding points when it comes to the final day - perhaps this was a performance of future champions, only time will tell.