In an entertaining contest at Woking Park on Tuesday evening North Greenford were narrowly defeated by three goals to two for the second time in a row, on this occasion by CCL Premier Division runners-up Westfield.

The Field could not have got off to a better start when, at the end of their first attack of the evening, right midfielder Hicham Abdullah delivered a telling cross into the United penalty area. The ball fell to striker Adam Bellmaine who made no mistake with a clinical finish from close range.

Lifted by the goal the home side pressed to quickly extend their advantage, but the Greenford defence dug in and the team began to compete more successfully in midfield, and started to mount promising attacks of their own. Twenty minutes into the half Westfield won two corners in quick succession and, following the second of these, Blues keeper James Harry had to be alert to a goal-bound header which he did well to tip over his crossbar.

Shortly after this narrow escape Greenford grabbed an equaliser. Driving in-field towards the Westfield area Sandro Costa unleashed a fierce swerving shot from some 25 yards which deceived stand-in Field keeper Dale Burnham and flew into the back of the home net.

On the half hour the Blues winger came close to putting United in front with another excellent strike that whizzed narrowly past the wrong side of the Westfield post. Other chances were created by two perfectly flighted Daniel Vincent free-kicks which none of the Greenford players were able to get their heads to.

As it happened, with half-time approaching, it was Westfield who succeeded in scoring the all-important second goal following another fine Abdullah delivery which was headed into the roof of the Blues net by Aaron Watson unmarked at the far post.

The second period continued in much the same vein with both sides producing some attractive, flowing football as play moved from end-to-end. Then, just after the contest had passed the hour mark, Westfield succeeded in extending their lead with a crucial and, as it turned out, match-winning third goal with, on this occasion, Abdullah himself getting on the end of a cross from the right to fire home with a fierce strike that gave Harry no chance.

To their credit Greenford kept pressing to get themselves back into the game and came agonisingly close to doing so on several occasions. During the final ten minutes a well-struck George Moore free-kick was blocked by the Westfield wall and a chipped effort from substitute Georgie Brown struck the home crossbar with the Blues forwards unable to convert the rebound. As a result of their efforts United finally succeeded in reducing the deficit in stoppage time with what proved the last move of the match when centre-back Guy Ansah-Palmer scored with a near post header on the end of a Moore cross.

Greenford still have one more fixture to fulfil, a rearranged home game against Sutton Common Rovers, and if they perform as well on Saturday they will give themselves every chance of winning their final match. As for Westfield this was their final league game and the club are to be congratulated for ending up worthy runners-up to CCL Premier Division champions Hartley Wintney. They will certainly be one of the teams challenging for top spot next season.

NGU Team: James Harry, Kamal Akel, Ryan Murphy (Carl Bower 55), Josh Lewis-Evans (Georgie Brown 70), Guy Ansah-Palmer, Matt Travis, George Moore, Daniel Vincent (captain), Anthony O’Connor, Carl Bower, Sandro Costa

Match preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Meet time

Attendance