Weston recorded their second victory of the season at home to Havant and Waterlooville.

WESTON-S-MARE 3

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 1

WESTON rose to 12th spot in the Blue Square South table, thanks to back-to-back victories against a physical Havant.

Manager Craig Laird made one change to the side successful at Thurrock, Mike Mackay taking over from Ben Hunt, who picked up a knock and Sahr Kabba made his first appearance of the season on the bench.

The visitors lost defender Jon McDonald through injury after just three minutes, Ryan Woodford taking over, but Weston started by playing some superb flowing football that brought generous applause from the 313-strong crowd. However, several promising attacks broke down as crosses failed to come over and final passes went astray.

The home goal had a let-off on 10 minutes when Mark Nwokeji fired wide with the goal open when put in by Steve Ramsey and minutes later Craig Graham-Barrett brought a full-length save from Lloyd Irish.

Slightly against the run of play, Havant took the lead on 36 minutes when Woodford knocked in Ramsay’s free kick at the far post and as the visitors began to dominate Sam Pearce’s header from a corner came off the Weston crossbar and then Warren McBean was just over.

At this stage Havant looked as if they would go on to win, but a minute into the second half, Weston were back in the game. Man of the match Jamie Price burst into the Havant penalty area and was brought down by Paul Hinshelwood for Nat Pepperell to send keeper Nathan Ashmore the wrong way from the spot.

With their tails up, Weston struck again on 53 minutes when, from Kane Ingram’s free kick, Ramsay tried to clear his line with Ashmore beaten but hit a post and Price was on hand to scramble the ball to the net.

Havant were not out of it yet with substitute Scott Jones forcing Irish to make a point-blank save and the visitors forced a couple of corners.

Kabba, who had replaced Mackay, had the last say, sliding the ball under Ashmore when put in by Dayle Grubb, who had another impressive game in midfield. Kabba was immediately yellow carded for his goal celebrations.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston: Pepperell (penalty 46), Price (53), Kabba (88). Havant: Woodford (36).

Shots on target: Weston 3, Havant 5.

Shots off target: Weston 2, Havant 9.

Corners: Weston 3, Havant 4.

Offsides: Weston 1, Havant 3.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 21, Havant 12.

Referee: Brett Huxtable (Torrington). Good game.

Bookings: Weston: Kabba.

Attendance: 313.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Grubb, Villis, Jamie Laird, Ingram, Kirk, Mackay (Kabba 59), Young (Diallo 82), Pepperell. Subs (not used): Martin, Hunt, Huxley.