Westies upbeat despite poor run

With the spine of the side ripped out by injuries and players declaring themselves unavailable, Westfield have lost their last six matches, although admittedly one was after extra-time and another in a penalty shoot-out.

But Harris said: “Despite the recent run, the dressing room spirit is good and the character of the boys is good. I’m confident if we can get ourselves through the next couple of weeks, we’ll be alright.”

The chief concern at present has to be the amount of goals Westfield are conceding. They’ve shipped a massive 28 during the aforementioned six-game sequence having kept clean sheets in two of the three games beforehand.

Westfield face a fifth consecutive cup fixture on Saturday and a last chance to preserve their interest in the various knockout competitions when they entertain Eastbourne United AFC in round two of the Sussex Senior Cup.

They are hoping goalkeeper Matt Cruttwell will have recovered from illness. Fellow stopper Peter Newstead is battling a rib injury. Sam Henham could return having trained on Monday despite slight medial ligament damage.

James Gatcum is out of plaster, but is wearing a protective boot as his broken ankle is worse than first feared and Harris doesn’t expect him back until Christmas. Steve Ringwood may feature next weekend though.

See tomorrow’s Hastings and Battle Observers for the full article.