Seagulls bounce back in five-goal romp

Weston AFC v Concord Rangers. (Image: Archant)

WESTON got rid of their hangover from last week’s FA Cup disaster by recording their biggest Skrill South win of the season so far as they swamped their first-time visitors from Canvey Island.

Weston AFC v Concord Rangers. (Image: Archant)

From the side that lost to Brislington, Ollie Knowles and Tristan Plummer were moved to the substitutes’ bench, Dayle Grubb and Chas Hemmings taking over.

Kane Ingram scored at Yeovil. (Image: Archant)

With their first attack in the second minute, Hemmings almost scored as he headed Martin Slocombe’s cross from the left just over the Concord crossbar.

Weston AFC v Concord Rangers. (Image: Archant)

As the visitors got into the game, Sam Higgins forced two superb saves from keeper Luke Purnell, both at the expense of corners, while Leon Gordon also forced Purnell into action.

Unfortunately for Concord, Higgins fell heavily before the break and did not appear after the interval so the visitors, as an attacking force, faded.

Naby Diallo tested keeper Jamie Butler with a rasping shot on 35 minutes but did even better a minute from half-time, heading in Grubb’s pin-point cross from the left.

Grubb extended Weston’s lead on 54 minutes with a superb low 30-yard effort which nestled in the far corner of Butler’s net.

Concord then took off right back De Reece Van Der Hyde. It left a big gap in their defence that was fully exploited by Weston’s left sided players as they scored three times in the final 15 minutes.

Jake Harris took over from Hemmings and he was soon in the action, hitting the visitors’ crossbar from Grubb’s corner kick, then shaving an upright as well as having a shot hacked off the goal-line.

Substitute Alec Fiddes, who had taken over from Grubb, got the third from close range as the visiting defence failed to cut out Ashley Kington’s low cross on 78 minutes and Slocombe, with all the room in the world, added the fourth on 89 minutes from fully 35 yards with a shot that left Butler rooted to the spot.

Just before the final whistle, Kane Ingram completed the scoring from the penalty spot when Harris was bundled over.

* ON Saturday, Weston were due to entertain Sutton United at the Woodspring Stadium, but the south London-based club are still involved in the FA Cup, so Weston secretary Richard Sloane has arranged that Hayes and Yeading United will provide the opposition (3pm).

This game was due to be played on February 22, but now the home squad will have a welcome winter break.

On Sunday, the club will be holding an extraordinary fans’ forum, commencing at 11am when the management team and directors will be present. All supporters are invited to attend.

Weston will travel to Yeovil Town next Tuesday in the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup. This will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if necessary.