Weston were defeated by Dover by a goal in the third minute of added on time.

DOVER ATHLETIC 1

WESTON-S-MARE 0

WESTON were denied at least a share of the Blue Square South points as they conceded a goal in the third minute of added on time at the Crabble Athletic Ground after dominating long periods of play especially in the first half.

However, after Sahr Kabba was substituted after picking up a knock, Weston faded as an attacking force as they were missing Chris Young, suspended for one game, and unavailable Mike Mackay. Matt Huxley, used as an emergency striker, tried hard, but his lack of pace was a severe handicap.

Weston attacked from the start with Kabba forcing the game’s first corner in the first minute from Martin Slocombe’s pass. Then man of the match Dayle Grubb controlled keeper Lloyd Irish’s long clearance of eight minutes and set up Kane Ingram, whose effort tested home keeper Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz.

Grubb’s curling free kick from just outside the Dover penalty area on 10 minutes came back off the crossbar with the keeper beaten and was turned behind by a relieved defence.

Dover’s best chance of the half came on 18 minutes when James Walker headed wide from Barry Cogan’s curling free kick. At the other end, both Grubb and Slocombe were narrowly off target, but right on the half-time whistle, Jaimez-Ruiz had to go full length to deny Grubb.

As the rain sheeted across the ground in the second half and as Dover began to take control, George Purcell, Leon Redwood, Cogan and skipper Tom Wynter all tested Irish, and for Weston Grubb and Ingram had efforts saved.

With the game looking to be heading for a scoreless draw, Dover got the all-important goal when, after good work by substitutes Glen Southam and Harry Baker, Cogan beat Irish with a low-effort from 25 yards.

WESTON STATS

Goal: Dover, Cogan (90+3).

Shots on target: Dover: 6, Weston 4.

Shots off target: Dover 6, Weston 4.

Corners: Dover 5, Weston 4.

Offsides: Dover 6, Weston 1.

Free kicks conceded: Dover 7, Weston 17.

Referee: Nigel Lugg (London). Poor game. Made several puzzling decisions.

Bookings: Dover, Walker, Wynter. Weston, Price, Laird, Slocombe, Ingram.

Attendance: 725.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Grubb, Villis, Laird, Ingram, Kirk (Cleverley 84), Kabba (Huxley 69), Trowbridge, Pepperell. Subs (not used): Diallo, Martin.

ON Saturday, Weston are on their travels again, this time to Dartford, with the team coach leaving at 9.30am.

On Tuesday next, November 15, Weston entertain Staines Town in a re-arranged league fixture (7.45pm).