ST ALBANS CITY 3

WESTON-S-MARE 4

THE introduction of substitute Sahr Kabba turned this Blue Square South encounter on its head with four goals coming in an incredible last 15 minutes. This was Weston’s first away win of the season and their biggest away win since they beat Dorchester Town 5-1 in March 2007.

The win moves them up to 11th in the league table, just four points off a playoff spot.

Weston went into the game missing Brett Trowbridge and Nat Pepperall, both injured, while Ben Kirk was absent taking university exams, Dayle and Dean Grubb and Simon Gilbert taking over.

The first 30 minutes of the first half was a drab affair, with both sets of defences dominating. Saints came close on 11 minutes when James Fisher headed just wide of the far post from Robbie Martin’s cross on 11 minutes. Dayle Grubb’s surging run forcing the first of Weston’s six corners on 19 minutes, and when Jamie Laird’s flag kick was not properly cleared, Dean Grubb had a shot on target claimed by home keeper Paul Bastock. Minutes later, another Laird corner flashed across a crowded six-yard box.

The deadlock was broken on 31 minutes when, from Martin’s angled free kick, central defender Mark Peters headed past Lloyd Irish in the Weston goal. Minutes before the interval, Jake Mawford replaced Gilbert who came off with an injured leg.

After Weston had forced two more corners early in the second half, Saints’ Moses Odubajo had the miss of the match when he fired wide from a couple of yards with Irish beaten by Martin’s angled low drive.

There was a flurry of substitutions on 65 minutes, with Saints making two changes and Weston bringing on Kabba for Dean Grubb and a minute later Weston skipper Craig Rand cleared off his line from Peter Smith’s strong effort with Irish beaten. Saints struck again on 75 minutes when substitute Jean-Michel Sigere low effort beat Irish after good work by Pelayo Gomez.

A minute later, Weston were back in it as good build-up play involving Kabba and Kane Ingram, saw the ball laid off for Marcus Duharty who scored with a superb 25-yard fierce drive and a minute later the sides were level as Kabba chased a loose ball almost to the bye-line and scored with an angled shot with Bastock stranded.

Back came Saints with substitute Imih Effiong restoring their lead from Fisher’s pass on 78 minutes, only for Ingram to bring the sides level again five minutes later after Kabba had burst through the defence. Weston’s winner came on 90 minutes when Kabba controlled a long Weston clearance, made ground and fired past Bastock.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Saints, Peters (31), Sigere (73), Effiong (78). Weston, Duharty (75), Kabba (77, 90), Ingram (83).

Shots on target: Saints 4, Weston 5.

Shots off target: Saints 4, Weston 2.

Corners: Saints 2, Weston 6.

Offsides: Saints 5, Weston 2.

Free kicks conceded: Saints 10, Weston 13.

Referee: Chris Miller (Kettering). Excellent game, allowed play to flow.

Bookings: Weston, Kabba, Ingram.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Laird, Rand, Villis, Dayle Grubb (Slocombe 84), Ingram, Gilbert (Mawford 43), Duharty, Porter, Dean Grubb (Kabba 67). Subs (not used): Farmer, Cureton.

ON Saturday, Weston hope to continue their winning run when they entertain Hampton and Richmond at the Woodspring Stadium. Originally, Weston were due to entertain Maidenhead United, but they are playing in the FA Cup on that date.

THE presentation for the Weston player of the month award for September will be made just before Saturday’s game with Hampton and Richmond.

The September award has kindly been sponsored by James and Jon Pendleton.

The poll for the October award opens at 5pm on October 30th and votes can be cast through e-mail at WSMFCEST1948@HOTMAIL.COM

A sponsorship opportunity exists for a local business or individual and interested parties can contact Simon Stephens at the above e-mail address.