WESTFIELDS entertain Strat-ford Town tonight (7.45pm) and will look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Coalville Town in their first Midland Alliance game.

Despite a hard-working performance, they returned home empty-handed from Leicester-shire.

As early as the first minute, Scott Jackson put over a pinpoint cross but Paul Burton saw his angled drive smothered by the home 'keeper from six yards.

Five minutes later, Ashley Day, Westfields' new 17-year-old midfield signing, laid on a perfect pass for Alex Hunt but he too found his shot scrambled clear for a corner.

Another chance was laid on when, from a Mark Hibbard corner, Kevin Jinks put over a perfect cross which Dave Howes just failed to get onto the end of.

It was 25 minutes before Coalville created a decent chance when Jason Knight missed a great opportunity to put the home side ahead when he headed wide of the far post.

In the 35th minute, West-fields were caught out with a long ball down the right flank and Jinks, in trying to head the ball away, saw it fall into the path of Richard Saunders and it fell nicely for the Coalville striker to drill past Jon Pugh for the first goal.

Westfields were then under the cosh for the remainder of the half and Pugh produced a magnificent fingertip save to deny Knight from point-blank range.

The Westfields 'keeper then dived full length to keep out a Saunders shot as Coalville appeared to ease into a half-time lead.

After the break, Paul Burton got free of the Coalville defence but again the home 'keeper saved from Burton's shot.

Coalville increased their lead on the hour when a long ball up the flank caught the defence out and Chris Gray got past Hunt to beat Pugh from a narrow angle.

Westfields sent on substitutes Derek Craddock, Matt Morris and Adam Bridges and Bridges should have pulled a goal back when Hibbard put him clear on goal but he fired at the home 'keeper.

Pugh produced a superb save to keep the scoreline res-pectable when he held onto a stinging drive from a Richie Saunders pile-driver.

Also in action tonight are Pegasus Juniors, who host Almondsbury Town in the Hellenic League premier division, and Malvern, who play their final pre-season friendly at home to Wednesfield.