Reedham put Westfield FC to the sword with a much improved second half performance. The first half was pretty even. Chances came and went at both ends before Reedham took the lead from a Westfield defensive mistake. Michael Mason nicked the ball off a defender and with the goalkeeper to beat, he slotted the ball home, a feat he has been doing consistently all season so far. Reedham 1 - 0 Westfield
Reedham dodged a couple of bullets before surrendering their lead. Firstly Ben Roat in goal rushed out and slipped but Westfield's tricky left winger, who proved to be a thorn in Reedham's side all game put the ball wide of the goal. Then a poor goalkick was poorly dealt with by James Cater and a strike from the Westfield attacker flew into the top corner of Reedham's net from 30 yards out. Reedham 1 - 1 Westfield
The match continued to be end to end. Reedham won a corner and the cross from Jordan Castle was headed over by Simon Burns. Then Ben Roat made amends from his earlier mistake by saving well when the Westfield attacker was put through one on one. As the ball was pinged back into the box Chris Sparrow almost diverted the ball into his own net but luckily it went out for a corner. Westfield had a series of corners which Reedham didn't look particularly comfortable defending. The last of which resulted in a combination of Jake and Ben Roat desperately clearing the ball heading into the corner off the line. As the ball was put back in Westfield thought they had taken the lead but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Another Westfield error almost led to Reedham regaining the lead. A poor defensive free kick from the Westfield backline led to a one-two between Simon Burns and Ricky Grimmer which played in the former but his shot was wayward and the game remained locked at one a piece. Some unconvincing handling from Ben Roat gave Westfield encouragement as he fumbled the ball through to him but it was Reedham who carved out another two good chances. Simon Burns was denied first by the Westfield keeper who scrambled to claw away his header that was going inside the post, then struck a half-volley over the bar after some excellent work from Chris Mahoney on the left wing created the opening.
More defensive frailties left Reedham exposed again. As the arguments between centre and left backs raged, a Westfield cross was almost headed in after Chris Sparrow got caught sitting too deep and played the onrushing attacker onside. Chris Mahoney was looking menacing again as he headed a corner goalwards but it lacked sufficient power to trouble the Westfield keeper. Ben Roat then had to be alert as he pulled out another good save to deny the Westfield left winger from a volleyed attempt at goal. Another Simon Burns chance came and went as he blazed wide of the goal from 14 yards out.
Then just as it looked like ending all square at half-time, Reedham were gifted a penalty. The Westfield defender inadvertently slipped and his hand fell onto the ball momentarily. However, the referee, who was having an excellent game, pointed to the spot. It was a harsh one but Reedham didn't mind and neither did Simon Burns who finally managed to get on the scoresheet, despatching the penalty to the left of the keeper. Reedham 2 - 1 Westfield
Half-time Reedham 2 -1 Westfield
The second half started with a Westfield attacker's shot being deflected over the bar after a poor clearance from James Cater. From the corner Ben Roat flapped at a cross but his defence completed the clearance. Up the other end of the pitch Simon Burns picked up a nasty knock to his shin, sliding in for a tackle but after a slight delay, continued playing. After another Westfield shot sailed wide, Reedham made a double substitution with Kieran Hunt and Barry Payne coming on for Dan T and Ricky Grimmer.
Reedham then extended their advantage. Jake Lazell hooked the ball forwards and most players stopped thinking the ball was going out of play for a goal kick. Barry Payne chased the ball down then cut the ball back for Michael Mason to run onto and smash the ball home with the outside of his left foot - another quality finish from the Reedham midfielder. Reedham 3 - 1 Westfield
Barry Payne then run onto a through ball and going shoulder to shoulder with the last defender sliced his shot wide of the post. Between Reedham's posts, Ben Roat was having another typical game for him as he provided excellent shot stopping mixed with a worrying ability to command his area when crosses were being pinged into the box. Another cross eluded him but luckily the Westfield attacker headed wide of Reedham's goal.
Westfield were noticeably starting to tire at this point and it was no surprise that Simon Burns then doubled his goal tally shortly afterwards. Putting behind several missed chances in the first half, he provided a cool finish past the keeper when one on one, after the ball was flicked over the top by Barry Payne. Reedham 4 - 1 Westfield
Reedham continued to dominate and Barry Payne added his name to the scoresheet, after being picked out by Michael Mason, with a hard shot past a floundering Westfield keeper. Reedham 5 - 1 Westfield
Reedham made anothe substitution with Fergus Ogg coming on for the solid Chris Mahoney. Then Barry Payne with his tail up, greedily shot from 30 yards when he had a number of runners in better positions rushing towards the goal. Needless to say the shot sailed well high and wide of the target much to his teammates annoyance. Jack Cronin came on for Jake Lazell but Lazell was called back into the action almost immediately as Jordan Castle picked up another injury.
Barry Payne then flicked on another through ball for Simon Burns but his header went wide of the post. Barry Payne played in Simon Burns again with another good through ball but Simon Burns, who on another day would have had a hatful of goals, shot over the bar when one on one with the keeper. This was to be Burns last input in the game as he was replaced by Ricky Grimer.
Then Reedham produced some of the best football of the match, working an opportunity with good link up play and passing. The ball was sent out wide down the left flank with Barry Payne laying the ball back to Jordan Castle whose cross was well controlled by Ricky Grimmer and laid off to Michael whose shot was placed but well saved by the Westfield keeper. With hindsight Mason wished he could have put his laces through the ball to complete a well deserved hat trick.
Excellent work by Ricky Grimmer, beating four players and laying off to Barry Payne, allowed Payne to double his goal tally with a low hard shot to the bottom right corner of the goal. Reedham 6 - 1 Westfield
The final action of note came from a Barry Payne corner as James Cater's header looked goal bound but was cleared off the line by the Westfield defender. The referee, who was by far and away the best Reedham had experienced this season, then brought the game to a close.
In truth Reedham had not been at their best but their second half fitness levels and use of tactical substitutions had seen off a dogged Westfield side. It was a workmanlike, if not unspectacular performance, but leaves room for improvement as they travel to local rivals Freethorpe for what will be the most anticipated game of the season for Reedham.
