Chasetown 1 Westfields 0

WESTFIELDS eight-match unbeaten run in the Midland Football Alliance shuddered to a halt when they were pipped by a 38th-minute goal from Steve Ball.

Chasetown completed a double as they won by the same scoreline in Westfields' first league match at Allpay Park in December.

Nevertheless, the city club, who were without strikers Paul Burton and Chris Jefferson and central defender Alec Winstone, had a number of chances to have turned the tables.

Chasetown held the edge in the opening stages before netting the match-winning goal. Gareth Horler created a half-chance for Ball who reacted quickly to beat keeper Jon Pugh with a 10-yard drive.

In the second period Westfields had strong claims for a penalty brushed aside after Roy Jordan had been upended. Soon after Scott Jackson, who was outstanding in Westfields' defence, beat the home club's debut-making keeper Mark Taylor with a shot-on-the-turn, only for Neil Aulton to hack the ball off the line.

Taylor came to Chasetown's rescue in the 70th minute, making a brilliant save from Derek Craddock's point-blank, diving header. The visitors crowded on the pressure but were again foiled by Taylor, who made a superb, diving save to keep out substitute Nicky Welsh's 20-yard pile-driver.