FIELDS GET THE FINAL FLAVOUR

BLESSED Westfields boss Sean Edwards says his side have already enjoyed their FA Cup Final despite earning their place in the hat for round two with a draw against Curzon Ashton.

The lowest ranked side left in the competition took the lead through a ninth-minute Craig Jones penalty, but had their hearts broken by an Adam Morgan equaliser ten minutes from time – sparking a pitch invasion from the visiting fans.

Edwards admitted to being disappointed with the result, but said you couldn’t take the memory of the occasion away from him.

“It’s been like an FA Cup final for us with all the media interest and Football Focus being here earlier on,” he said.

“We are a little bit disappointed but, speaking honestly, I think Curzon Ashton deserved a replay.

“We needed a second goal – and could have got one on the break – but it didn’t happen and then they got their chance.

“We worked so hard to keep it level for so long but there is only so long you can sit back for.

“But we are still in the draw and now we know more about them and they know more about us. Hopefully we will be fitter.”

Jones showed no signs of nerves as he coolly slotted home his penalty to give the Step 5 Midland League side the early advantage.

But, after National League North Curzon dominated much of the game, the pressure finally told in the 81st minute as Morgan was first to pounce when a Luke Clarke corner created panic in the goalmouth.

Visiting boss John Flanagan also felt his side did not do enough to win the game, and admitted that – given their possession but lack of clinical finishing – he began to worry it might not be their day.

“I am relieved that we got the goal at the end,” he said.

“There was not much we could do with their goal – it was a penalty that came out of nothing.

“You always think that a team that continues to pass the ball will eventually get the goal but it didn’t look like that would be the case for us as the clock ticked on.

“I do not think that we did enough to deserve the win today. But we have the replay at home and we are always confident when we play at home, whoever it is that we face.”