AN out of sorts Weston lost by the only goal at the Avenue Stadium in a Blue Square South game played in poor conditions.

DORCHESTER TOWN 1

WESTON-S-MARE 0

AN out of sorts Weston lost by the only goal at the Avenue Stadium in a Blue Square South game played in poor conditions.

There was a strong blustery wind blowing the length of the pitch which was heavy from overnight rain and this made accurate passing virtually impossible and led to little goalmouth activity.

Weston were without injured Matt Villis, Kane Ingram, suspended and Justin Porter, who was unavailable for this last-minute rearranged fixture and also Nat Pepperall who is temporally working in France.

However, the visitors made a bright start forcing a corner after six minutes when Brett Trowbridge put Nabi Diallo through and minutes later Dayle Grubb was just over with a strong distance shot.

As the home side got into the game, Ryan Moss headed inches wide from Chris Flood’s cross on 15 minutes and two minutes later Flood was just off target from Steve Devlin’s cross and then James Coutts and Moss again failed to trouble Weston keeper Lloyd Irish. The first half ended with Weston’s Jamie Slocombe going close with a free kick.

Three minutes into the second half, the Weston goal had a let-off when from another Devlin corner, Kyle Critchell, only six yards out, headed down, but the ball bounced up and over the crossbar from no more than a yard out.

The home side forced a string of unsuccessful corners and then came the moment of controversy. Weston substitute Marcus Duharty, who had just taken over from Sahr Kabb, clashed with Devlin.

Despite Duharty’s leg being raked by Devlin’s studs, Plymouth referee Tony Hopkins booked both both players and then Weston skipper Craig Rand for protesting and then awarded a free kick to Dorchester. Flood sent a 30-yard effort round the Weston defensive wall and into the far corner of the net.

Weston created a good chance in injury time when Jamie Laird made a long run from half way and fed Duharty who should have steadied himself before firing badly wide.

WESTON STATS

Goal: Dorchester, Flood (72).

Shots on target: Dorchester 1.

Shots off target: Dorchester 6, Weston 3.

Corners: Dorchester 10, Weston 2.

Offsides: Dorchester 1, Weston 4.

Free kicks conceded: Dorchester 7, Weston 10.

Referee: Tony Hopkins (Plymouth). Average.

Bookings: Dorchester, Devlin. Weston, Duharty, Rand.

Attendance: 383.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Rand, Laird, Gilbert, Diallo (Mawford 86), Kirk, Kabba (Duharty 57), Trowbridge (Dean Grubb 89), Dayle Grubb. Subs (not used): Bennett, Cureton.

ON Saturday, Weston make the long trip to Dover and will made an overnight stop, leaving the Woodspring Stadium at 5pm on Friday.