Weston picked up their first home point of the season with a 2-2 draw against visitors Hayes & Yeading.

WESTON-S-MARE 2

HAYES & YEADING 2

AT the third Vanarama Conference South attempt, Weston picked up their first home point of the season as they came from behind against their physical London visitors.

This was an entertaining game of two halves, with the Seagulls well on top in the first period, but after the break the visitors made two crucial changes who gave them the upper hand early on.

Weston were missing Conor O’Sullivan who picked up a knock at Staines, Liam Dempsey taking over. Unfortunately, Dempsey had to be helped off after 23 minutes with a leg injury, and latest loan signing from Bristol Rovers, Pierce Mitchell, took over and gave a competent debut in defence.

The visitors were first to show, with Matty Harriott heading just wide from a left-wing cross early on, but Weston were soon in their stride with Alex Fiddes feeding Jamie Lucas to force their first corned on 14 minutes.

Dayle Grubb’s delivery from the right was turned behind by a defender and from Grubb’s second delivery, this time from the left, skipper Tom Jordan bundled the ball into the net in a crowded six-yard box.

Minutes later, at the other end, Jordan was in action again, bundling Joe Anyinsah off the ball just as he was about to shoot after bursting through the defence.

As the Seagulls picked up the pace again, Lucas was just wide with a flashing header from Grubb’s free kick. Then Grubb forced the save of the game from keeper Calum Kitscha who flung himself to his left to turn a curling effort round his post.

Just before the break, Hayes brought on Dan Wishart and after the interval introduced Rhys Williamson and those two transformed the visitors with their speedy runs at the home defence.

The equaliser came on 48 minutes when from a free kick, Williamson had an effort beaten out by home keeper Luke Purnell, but Matt Ruby scored from the rebound.

Hayes enjoyed a golden patch, forcing a couple of corners and they took the lead on 65 minutes when Wishart finished a strong run by firing past Purnell on his near post.

Back came Weston with Jacob Cane having a strong header beaten out by Kitscha from Lucas’ cross and the home side equalised on 81 minutes when Aaron Brown curled a superb free kick round the defensive wall and into the top corner of the Hayes’ net.

The visitors forced a late corner, but the home defence held out well.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Jordan (15), Brown (81). Hayes, Ruby (48), Wishart (65).

Shots on target: Weston 4, Hayes 4.

Shots off target: Weston 5, Hayes 5.

Corners: Weston 6, Hayes 5.

Offside: Weston 2, Hayes 1.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 12, Hayes 12.

Referee: Steven Plane (Tewkesbury). Good game, allowed play to flow.

Bookings: Weston, Llewellyn. Hayes, MacDonald.

Attendance: 215.

Weston squad: Purnell, Dempsey (Mitchell 23), Llewellyn, Mawford, Jordan, Cane, Camper (McClennan 72), Brown, Lucas, Grubb, Fiddes (Harris 78). Subs (not used): Fortune, Ash.

ON Saturday, Weston will be breaking new ground when they visit newly-promoted Hemel Hempstead, with the party setting off at 10am.

On Tuesday evening, Weston host Ebbfleet United (7.45pm).