Weston hit the woodwork three times and had several attempts scrambled off the line in a 2-1 defeat at Farnborough.

FARNBOROUGH 2

WESTON-S-MARE 1

WESTON can feel hard done by after coming away from the Rushmoor Stadium ending second best after controlling large portions of this Blue Square South game.

Three times they hit the home woodwork and had several other attempts either brilliantly saved by the home keeper or had a couple of efforts scrambled to safety off the goal-line.

From the side that drew against Hayes and Yeading, Martin Slocombe replaced Pete Monks in defence, Nabi Diallo was in for Kane Ingram, and Ross Stearn took over from Ashley Kington.

The home side started the brighter with Dan Bennett firing narrowly across goal on five minutes and then skipper Alan Inns had a header on target from keeper Craig Bradshaw’s free kick.

But on 12 minutes Weston came close when, from a poor clearance, Jamie Price’s 35-yard volley clipped the top of the home crossbar with Bradshaw beaten. Two minutes later Chas Hemmings forced a full-length diving save from Stearn’s cross.

Later, Diallo, who gave an outstanding performance alongside Stearn, had a goal-bound effort hacked away by a defender. Before the interval, Diallo was just off target from Price’s cross and skipper Ben Kirk also went close from distance.

Weston attacked strongly at the start of the second half and Hemmings cracked an effort off the home crossbar on 53 minutes.

But it all went wrong on 60 minutes when second-half substitute Nic Ciardini burst through from 35 yards and drilled the ball past Lloyd Irish.

Back came Weston and on 68 minutes, Nat Pepperell had an effort knocked away by Bradshaw and from the rebound, Hemmings’ effort came off a post and was turned behind by central defender Alf Bosch.

Stearn made a penetrating run at the home defence on 71 minutes and laid the ball back for Jamie Laird who was narrowly off target.

Farnborough struck again on 82 minutes when Phil Page robbed Price near a corner flag, cut in along the by-line and fed Ciardini who again beat Irish low to his left.

To their credit, Weston kept battling away and were rewarded in added on time when Hemmings had another effort blocked, but Stearn crowned a great performance by at last beating Bradshaw.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Farnborough, Ciardini (60, 82). Weston, Stearn (90).

Shots on target: Farnborough 4, Weston 6.

Shots off target: Farnborough 3, Weston 5.

Corners: Farnborough 4, Weston 5.

Offsides: Farnborough 5, Weston 2.

Free kicks conceded: Farnborough 8, Weston 13.

Referee: Dan Cook (Gosport). Good game.

Bookings: Farnborough, Inns.

Attendance: 352.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Diallo, Villis, Laird, Stearn, Kirk, Hemmings, Trowbridge, Pepperell (Grubb 75). Subs (not used): Monks, Kington, Ingram, Young.

ON Saturday, Weston travel to Eastleigh with the team coach leaving at 10.30am and on Bank Holiday Monday, Weston will entertain Cornish visitors Truro City. Both games kick-off at 3pm.