Goals from Matty Auletta and Asa Rixon saw Sutton Common Rovers inflict the first league defeat on Westfield at the weekend, writes Gary Brigden.

Westfield had several changes to the side SCR had beaten in the league cup, including the return of both of the leagues leading goalscorers Max Blackmore, and captain Karle Carder-Andrews, and they looked a more potent side.

SCR handed a debut to recently signed keeper Michael Eacott, in for the injured Ollie Ellaway, but that along with Owen Davies in for the late arriving Jeff Addo-Dankwa was the only change from the cup game two weeks ago.

SCR struck first on 13 minutes when Auletta latched onto a mistake by Matt Steer and fired low beyond Gary Ross. Both sides had chances in the half, but the break came with SCR 1-0 up.

Westfield levelled through a powerful Carder-Andrews header early in the second half, and the game opened up with both sides creating chances. Eacott saved superbly from Hicham Adbellah, and from the break Asa Rixon fired a volley against the Westfield post.

When Cooper-Smith struck the other post just shy of the hour you got the feeling it might not be SCR's day. That feeling strengthened when substitute Craig Nelson hooked an Abdellah shot off the line.

SCR regained composure though and retook the lead with just over fifteen minutes remaining, when Matt Farrell played a delightful ball through to Rixon, who dinked the advancing keeper to put SCR ahead.

Westfield responded strongly and a mixture of Aaron Bogle and Eacott blocked an effort behind for a corner, with the big keeper saving well from a header from the corner.

The visitors were reduced to ten men on 87 minutes when Ross clattered Jean-Luc Kinsaba and was dismissed by the referee.

There was still time for a late scare for SCR, but Eacott produced a fine save from a Carder-Andrews free kick.