Despite being knocked out of both the national cup competition, Weston are enjoying a successful Blue Square South League season.

ALTHOUGH Weston have been knocked out of both the national cup competitions, the FA Cup and the FA Trophy, they are enjoying a reasonably successful Blue Square South League campaign, and have reached the third round of the Somerset Premier Cup, of which they are holders.

In the league, Weston have won eight and drawn four of their 19 games, scoring 34 goals and conceding 32, giving them 28 points, a good position from which to make a bid for a play-off spot in the New Year.

Following good displays against Bristol Rovers, Bristol City, Torquay United and Cardiff City in pre-season friendlies, they made a disastrous start to their league campaign, losing 4-0 at home to Dartford, two of the goals scored by Charlie Sheringham, son of former England star Teddy, who had consistently scored against Weston playing for Cambridge City, Woking and Eastleigh among others.

Three days later, away at Basingstoke, Weston lost again, this time by 4-1, their goal combing from Brett Huxtable. The squad’s first win came the following Saturday away at Thurrock when they won 3-0, thanks to strikes from Kane Ingram (2) and Mike Mackay.

That was the start of the squad’s revival, as in the following week they beat Havant and Waterlooville at home 3-1, with goals coming from Nat Pepperell from the penalty spot, Kane Ingram and Sahr Kabba. Salisbury City were next to visit the Woodspring Stadium and Weston won 2-0, with Pepperell, again from the penalty spot, and Kabba getting the goals.

Weston ended the month of August away at Eastleigh where they lost 2-1, Chris Young getting on the scoresheet.

Boreham Wood were visitors on September 3 and they lost 4-0, with Weston’s goals coming from Chris Young, Ben Cleverley, on his debut from Paulton Rovers, Jamie Price and Dayle Grubb. Weston’s second away win was recorded at Maidenhead United, Ben Kirk, Price and Ingram the scorers, but at home to Chelmsford they lost 2-1, with Pepperell the scorer.

The midweek game at Dorchester saw Weston win 3-1, Ben Hunt, Ingram and Price on target, but on the following Saturday they slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Hampton and Richmond, Grubb the scorer.

Saturday, October 1, saw Weston in FA Cup action, away at Dorchester Town and they pulled off a 1-0 win, thanks to a first goal for the club by central defender Mat Villis. The following week, Weston recorded their first drawn league game when they were held scoreless by Sutton United.

Weston were back on FA Cup duty on October 15, entertaining Havant and Waterlooville, running out 3-2 winners, with goals from Price, Pepperell, again from the penalty spot, and Mackay.

The following week, Weston entertained newly-relegated Eastbourne Borough and were held to their second draw, 3-3, with the goals from Kabba (2) and another penalty from Pepperell, but at league leaders Woking they crashed 4-0.

In the FA Cup on October 29, in front of 701 spectators, Weston went down to Southern League Premier Oxford City 3-2, a penalty by Pepperell and Ingram.

On November 5, after an overnight stop, Weston lost 1-0 to Dover Athletic. The following Tuesday, Weston took on Bristol Manor Farm as they defended the Somerset Premier Cup and ran out 4-0 winners, Brett Huxley, Grubb (2) and Price the scorers.

The next game was away at Dartford, who by this time had sold Sheringham to Football League Bournemouth and drew 1-1, Villis getting the vital score. Staines Town were next up at the Woodspring and Weston were 2-1 winners, with goals by Grubb and Kabba. Four days later, Maidenhead were visitors and Weston recorded their first league double with a 4-2 win. Fans’ favourite Marc McGregor was back for his fifth spell with the club and he was among the scorers, along with Grubb (2) and Pepperell.

Weston travelled to Salisbury City in the FA Trophy and lost 2-0, giving one of their poorest displays of the season. In their last league game before having a blank Saturday, they drew 1-1 away at Havant and Waterlooville, Brett Trowbridge the scorer.

Latest Blue Square South table

W D L Pts

Woking 15 4 1 49

Welling Utd 12 4 3 40

Dartford 11 4 3 37

Chelmsford 9 8 2 35

Sutton Utd 10 4 4 34

Dover Ath 8 7 5 31

Basingstoke 8 6 3 30

Dorchester 9 3 10 30

WESTON 8 4 7 28

Boreham Wood 8 4 7 28

Tonbridge Angels 8 4 9 28

Eastleigh 6 3 9 27

Truro City 8 2 9 26

Eastbourne Boro 7 4 8 25

Salisbury City 6 4 8 22

Havant & W 5 6 8 21

Farnborough 5 8 10 20

Bromley 5 3 11 18

Maidenhead 5 3 13 18

Hampton & RB 4 4 11 16

Staines Town 3 5 11 14

Thurrock 3 3 13 12

ON Saturday, Weston take the long journey to Eastbourne Borough, who are three points and four places below them in the table. The party are travelling on Friday evening with an overnight stop at Bognor Regis.