Weston are back in sixth spot in the Blue Square South table with their sixth away success of the season.

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 0

WESTON-S-MARE 2

THANKS to a superb first-half display of total dominance, Weston are back in sixth spot in the Blue Square South table with their sixth away success of the season and rivals Farnborough, who were above them on goal difference, being docked four points for a league infringement.

Delighted club chairman, Paul Bliss said: “That was a superb performance bouncing back from a poor midweek display. We looked a solid balanced side today and thoroughly deserved the win.”

Weston were back to full strength, with Matt Villis and Brett Trowbridge recovered from illness, while new signing Olondo Alvarez was on the bench and came on for the final 15 minutes where he showed some deft touches. Unfortunately, manager Craig Laird missed the trip due to illness and the team was managed by Marc McGregor and Bob Boyd.

In the opening 45 minutes, Eastbourne were rarely out of their own territory and they never got near the Weston penalty area, never troubling keeper Lloyd Irish.

The Seagulls forced the first of nine corners on nine minutes and they came close five minutes later when Ashley Kington put Chas Hemmings through, but home keeper Ross Worner came quickly off his line to block the effort.

However, Hemmings did better two minutes later, scoring from close range after Ross Stearn had burst down the right and crossed low into the six-yard box.

Weston went close on 24 minutes when Kington traded passes with man of the match Dayle Grubb who was controlling the midfield and Grubb’s effort was just off target with Worner flat footed. A minute before the break, Grubb again went close with an effort just wide of the near post.

Hemmings picked up a knock and was replaced by Kayne McClaggon on 25 minutes, but Weston kept the pressure up and were rewarded on 40 minutes when, from another speedy run by Stearn, McClaggon scored in a scramble in the six-yard box.

Eastbourne came more into the game in the second half, but their only success were two fruitless corners.

They thought they had scored on 61 minutes when substitute Sam Cole headed past keeper Lloyd Irish, but the linesman indicated that the ball had gone behind the by-line when crossed.

Weston came close again on 68 minutes when McClaggon put Stearn clear on the right, but Worner managed to divert the shot for another corner.

In the final minute of normal time, Eastbourne had their first and only effort on target when an unmarked Colle headed into the arms of Irish.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Hemmings (16), McClaggon (40).

Shots on target: Eastbourne 1, Weston 5.

Shots off target: Eastbourne 1, Weston 4.

Corners: Eastbourne 2, Weston 9.

Offsides: Eastbourne 3, Weston 2.

Free kicks conceded: Eastbourne 12, Weston 11.

Referee: Colin Finch. Good game.

Bookings: Eastbourne, Lok, Cole, Smith. Weston, Laird, Kington.

Attendance: 570.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Trowbridge, Villis, Laird, Stearn (Ingram 86), Kirk, Hemmings (McClaggon 25), Kington (Alvarez 77), Grubb. Subs (not used): Monks, Diallo.

WESTON are delighted to announce that leading scorer Ross Stearn, who has been the subject of an approach by rivals Bath City, has turned down the offer and will be staying at the Woodspring Stadium until at least the end of the season.

In a statement, Ross said: “I am very happy at Weston at the minute and think the style of football we play suits me well. The lads and the gaffer have played a major port in my decision to stay.

“Obviously, I am flattered with the attention of other clubs coming in, but I have spoken to the manager and will remain loyal to the club and then revise the situation at the end of the season.

“I’m glad to be enjoying my football and sometimes that is more important than a financial package. I hope my decision to stay can prove positive with a play-off push from now until the end of the season.”

On Saturday, Weston entertain fourth placed Dover (3pm) and will be out to avenge a 3-1 defeat inflicted on the south coast last November.