Westland United start a new chapter at their new home at Uphill Castle Cricket Club.

AFTER more than 18 months in the planning, numerous setbacks and a lot of hard work, Westland United has finally secured their future and a new home courtesy of Uphill Castle Cricket Club.

In an agreement that will last in the first instance until 2036, Westland will now play its home games at the Bridgwater Road ground.

Westland United chairman Neil Keeling is delighted with the move and said: “We are proud to be associated with Uphill Castle and hope we can create a long-standing relationship.”

Uphill Castle chairman Mark Hodder who is also pleased with the agreement said: “To bring such a fantastic football club to share our ground is one we are proud of and together we are looking forward to creating a new sports ground facility.”

? Westland started their home campaign form the new ground this weekend against local rivals Worle.

Westland started brightly with some solid play and prevented most of the Worle attacks with ease. At the other end, Westland will rue the missed chances they created in the first half, most notably Simon Willis not fully connecting a Cory Thomas cross from just a few yards out. Eventually the pressure paid off and Westland took a 1-0 lead into half-time.

The second half started where the first left off, the home side creating many chances, but Worle were resolute and cleared off the line twice to keep them in the game.

With 84 minutes gone, a lapse in the Westland defence saw Worle equalise from close range through Jack Hodrien. Ninety seconds later the Westland defence went walkabout and Worle took the lead with a goal by Ollie Clements, and just two minutes later a Ashley Raymond shot took a wicked deflection to make the score 3-1.

Although Westland will not be pleased with the result, they can certainly take heart from the majority of the performance and be proud of their new home.

On Saturday, Westland are home again against Churchill in the Division 2 Cup.