Bulls stroll to HFA Cup win....

...meanwhile, this particular spectator felt the need (post match) to venture as far as The Courtyard for the ceremonial celebration of Hampton Bull's 60th birthday. You will therefore understand the, now customary, lateness of this report. Incidentally, the lack of sandals and dreadlocks caused me to feel a little out of place as this was "open mike night" at The Courtyard. I'm sure that the regulars at these musical occasions found the fare on offer to be most acceptable but to my somewhat ageing taste in things songfull it was a bit of a non-event, which conveniently leads me to the match.

The Bulls fielded a largely reserve and trialist team although there was a debut for recently signed goalkeeper Ryan Esson and a useful workout for Steve Guinan who lined up alongside Marcus Palmer. Sam Gwynne started in the right back birth with Threlfall on the left and Broadhurst and Lee Collins in the centre. Kris Taylor and Ryan Burge operated in the centre of midfield flanked by Jack Macleod and Morgan Evans.

Early Westfield pressure yielded a corner, which was hacked clear by Threlfall before Morgan showed a good first touch on the left and provided a cross which was collected by Westfields 'keeper Jon Pugh. Just after ten minutes, Threlfall found his way into referee Morris' notebook for a high challenge but soon afterwards, The Bulls opened their account. Evans played a cross-field ball to Jack Macloed who went on a mazy dribble ending in a fine ball across the penalty area into the path of Guinan. The Bulls' striker finished coolly with a firm plant into the net from twelve yards.

Just after the half-hour mark, Kris Taylor doubled the lead with a delightful lob over the advancing Pugh from the right corner of the box following Palmer's good delivery. The third goal early in the second half again came from good approach work by Macleod who cut into the Westfields' area and fired a low shot, which was blocked close to the goal line. Guinan was, however, on hand to claim his second of the night with a confident finish from the edge of the six-yard box. Although the 3-0 result was fairly comfortable, some of the distribution from defence was a bit questionable at times. Kris Taylor showed moments of class and Burge, although sometimes a little over enthusiastic, did work hard and covered a lot of ground. Macleod was pacy and provided a threat although he may be some way from first team contention yet while his counterpart on the left, Evans, faded in the second period. Gareth Thomas was a late substitute at right back. It would have been interesting to see him against the central striking height of Westfields’ Aubrey and Hill as he certainly looks to have the composure and physical attributes to play at a higher level.

Late in the game there were a few hefty challenges and several close encounters of the verbal kind, which maintained the interest of the attending 281 spectators.

Final score: HUFC 3 Westfields 0.

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