Westfields retained the Dennis Hartland Memorial Trophy thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over visitors Swindon Supermarine in their final friendly match at allpay.park on Saturday.
The home side gave debuts to new signings Bobby Aldrich and Joel Edwards in an exciting and end-to-end encounter with their higher-graded opponents.
Former ’Fields striker Richard Kear supplied a cross to allow Luke Hooper to open the scoring for Swindon after 20 minutes.
But the home side struck back on the half hour mark when good work by Carl Morgan and Mark Hibbard afforded Richard Jackson a chance which he duly took to level the scores.
Westfields then forged a 2-1 lead when, just five minutes before the break, Carl Morgan beat the fullback before landing a delightful lob over the head of Swindon keeper Scott James and into the net.
But the visitors equalised on the stroke of half time when Chris Allen beat Jamie Moore with a shot on the turn from six yards to level the scores at the break.
Despite the introduction of substitutes Ashley Day, Gareth Thomas, Lee Ferneyhough, Jamie Addis and Jamie Cuss, Westfields found themselves locked 2-2 with their visitors after 90 minutes.
Swindon fluffed their first two penalty attempts in contrast to Westfields pair Mark Hibbard and Ashley Day, who were on target to give their side a 2-0 advantage.
Another off-target attempt by the Swindon penalty taker allowed Westfields’ new signing Anthony Robins to blast home his spot kick and hand the home side the trophy.
Westfields’ Midlands Football Alliance league programme kicks off this weekend with a home fixture against Loughborough University (3pm).
Loughborough are managed by former Spurs and Derby County striker John Duncan and enjoy some of the best sporting facilities in the country.
“They will be a well organised young and fit side,” said Westfields manager Sean Edwards.
“It should be a good opening home league game.”
“With Hereford United away we hope to attract a good gate at allpay.park and this season our home fixtures, where possible, will alternate with Hereford United’s so local football fans have quality football to watch each week,” he added.
The next match will be another MFA league game at Highgate United on Wednesday August 11.