WESTON-S-MARE 0 HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 1 - DECIMATED by injuries, Weston narrowly lost to a poor Havant side in a game played in unpleasant windy conditions that made ball control difficult.

WESTON-S-MARE 0HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 1DECIMATED by injuries, Weston narrowly lost to a poor Havant side in a game played in unpleasant windy conditions that made ball control difficult.From the side that won against Bromley, Alex Kite, Charlie Comyn-Platt, Manny Williams and Marc McGregor were missing through injury. And if that was not enough, they lost influential central defender Craig Rand after 32 minutes with a groin strain, which probably rules him out of Saturday's encounter with Hayes and Yeading.Ben Willshire came on in defence, manager Andy Gurney started in midfield, Scott Partridge was up front and there was a full debut for Youth team skipper Dayle Grubb who did well.When Rand came off, last season's Youth team captain Sam Johnson took over and gave an impressive performance, policing danger man Craig Watkins.The game itself was scrappy with efforts on goal at a premium, Grubb coming nearest with a thunderous shot that was turned behind by keeper Kevin Scriven. Later, Gurney tested Scriven with a distance free kick. Little was seen of the Havant attack, with Wes Fogden, Jamie Collins and Watkins having shots off target.The Weston goal had a let-off on 47 minutes when Luke Medley broke through and rounded Ryan Northmore, but with the goal gaping, the ball ran out of play in the wind.Gurney came off on 49 minutes, Ryan Havard taking over who went up front with Marvin Brown, Partridge dropping into midfield. A minute later, Collins was on target with a header and at the other end, Grubb played Havard in, but Scriven made the save.The only goal came on 71 minutes when Luke Nightingale burst down the left and crossed for an unmarked Watkins to head past Northmore from six yards.Another Youth team member Sam Clarke replaced Brown and he was bundled over when put through by Ben Wells, but referee Simon Knapp was not impressed. Weston forced a couple of corners late on, but to no avail.WESTON STATSGoal: Havant, Watkins (71).Shots on target: Weston 3, Havant 3.Shots off target: Weston 2, Havant 5.Corners: Weston 4, Havant 3.Offsides: Weston 0, Havant 4.Free kicks conceded: Weston 18, Havant 14.Referee: Simon Knapp (Bristol). Good game.Bookings - Weston: Bartlett, Harris. Havant: Collins, Simpemba, Medley.Attendance: 264.Weston squad: Northmore, Willshire, Parrinello, Harris, Rand (Johnson 32), Gurney (Havard 49), Bartlett, Wells, Brown (Clarke 70), Partridge, Grubb. Subs (not used): Thorne, Purnell (goal).