Breathless thriller for the neutral

Ricardo Phillips proved the hero for Ransomes Sports with a 90th minute equaliser as goals from Ross Driver and Danny Allen had helped claw the visitors back from what looked like certain defeat as Westerfield led by 3-0 just before the hour mark.
The tone of the game was set early. Danny Allen, back in the starting line up for the first time this season, had a first time effort instinctively saved by Burn with his legs and minutes later the keeper was back in action, again saving with his legs this time from from Jamie Cole. There then came a muted appeal from Ransomes for a penalty, rightly ignored, as the early possession was dominated by the visitors.
It then looked easier for Jamie Cole to head beyond the keeper but he failed to muster any power on a free header and Burn saved easily - it was symptomatic of Ransomes uncertainty in front of goal. From that point, Westerfield went straight up the pitch and scored. Much to the distaste of the Ransomes management, the Swans were awarded a free kick, and Prentice stepped up to fire beyond Callum Deacon.
In truth, Ransomes had barely been troubled but they found themselves two down after 51 minutes. Again it was a free kick that brought about their undoing as Prentice was allowed to run on to a deep kick unchallenged, and he headed firmly past Deacon. The Swans struck again when loose play at the back saw Westerfield increase their lead further with Double applying the finishing touch as he slipped the ball past Deacon. This had certainly not been an intelligent performance from Ransomes in the opening hour and most teams would have had their spirit broken at this stage. Everything was missing from their game and as they attempted to salvage something from the match Burn again kept out Franco Mallardo with his feet before Ross Driver scored his first goal for the club. He was the "fox in the box" when he was on hand to fire into the roof of the net after latching on to Nay Woollard's cushioned header across the face of the goal - it was the start of a late rally.
Ransomes dominated possession and forced Westerfield into a deep retreat with few escape routes. On 75 minutes, Burn once again saved with his legs from Mallardo but that was nothing compared to the save from Danny Allen as he dived low to his left to keep out his header.
Ransomes were coming on strong. Their recovery was assisted in no small way by a change in tactics and personnel by Westerfield who attempted to game manage the situation but it failed to contain a frantic final burst from the visitors (who were ultimately rewarded) and it was Danny Allen who breathed further life into Ransomes as he reduced the deficit on 88 minutes, scoring with a bicycle kick from Adam Todd's deflected cross.
The visitors were then indebted to Ricardo Phillips for maintaining their unbeaten start to the season as he netted a 90th minute equaliser after pouncing on a Jarrodon Haynes knock down. The drama did not end there and Ransomes' ultimate push to the death should have brought them an added time winner but Jamie Cole could not place his shot on target from six yards.
Overall, it was a breathless and invigorating game, if somewhat a touch scrappy.
For Westerfield, this result will provide them with the belief that they can enjoy the campaign rather than merely endure the struggle of a relegation battle such as last season. Ransomes however, will see this as two dropped points, with further doubts cast on their form and capabilities to challenge the top order - certainly based on the evidence of this match - as they gave a somewhat disjointed performance. It was not straightforward but the positives were there with an impressive response and comeback.