Defeat leaves Weston back in the relegation zone

WESTON-S-MARE 0

CHELMSFORD CITY 3

BEFORE this Vanarama National South League game, Chelmsford were only above Weston on goal difference, but this embarrassing defeat sees the Seagulls back in the relegation zone.

To make matters worse, Weston had to play the last 25 minutes with only 10 men when defender Ollie Barnes was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge.

Weston welcomed Scott Wilson back from suspension, but were missing injured skipper Dayle Grubb and midfielder Jacob Cane, starting a two-game ban for picking up 10 yellow cards.

City dominated the opening half, forcing three early corners and Rory McAuley going close with a distance effort. Pressure paid off on 22 minutes when Jason Williams chipped keeper Luke Purnell from the edge of the penalty area, with Purnell off his line. Later, City’s Jack Bridge forced a good save from Purnell with a free kick, and they forced another corner.

In the half, Weston’s nearest effort fell to Wilson who was narrowly over from distance.

After half time, Weston lost Joe McClennan through injury, Tristan Plummer taking over.

Early in the second half, City forced two more corners, but Weston managed their first corner on 54 minutes and they came close minutes later when visiting keeper Christian Dibble did well to turn Ben Withey’s rasping shot over his crossbar.

With the departure of Barnes, Weston were stretched at the back and City increased their lead on 68 minutes as Bridge burst in from the right and fired past Purnell. Then, Billy Bricknell had a strong effort beaten away by Purnell.

After that, Weston had their best spell of the game, with Clayton Fortune, Alex Byrne and Plummer going close without troubling Dibble and Weston forced their third corner.

A minute into added-on time, Weston’s misery was completed as Syd Camper, who had just come on, unfortunately handled and City substitute Lee Sawyer beat Purnell from the penalty spot.

WESTON STATS

Goals: City, Wilson (22), Bridge (68), Sawyer (90+1).

Shots on target: Weston 2, City 6.

Shots off target: Weston 4, City 5.

Corners: Weston 3, City 6.

Offsides: City 3.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 12, City 14.

Referee: Steven Plane (Tewkesbury). Seemed to have missed a lot and blew up for minor infringements.

Bookings: Weston, Fortune, Barnes (red). City: Hughes, Prestedge.

Attendance: 405.

Weston squad: Purnell, Edge (Camper 84), Barnes, Pope (Davis 84), Keary, Fortune, McClennan (Plummer 46), Withey, Wilson, Wring, Byrne. Sub (not used): Variouxakis.

ON Saturday, Weston have another home game when Dartford provide the opposition and on Tuesday next are away at fellow strugglers St Albans City.