Seagulls move up the table after home victory

WESTON-S-MARE 3BRAINTREE TOWN 1GIVING another display of fast one-touch football, Weston firmly put behind them last week's disappointment against Bognor Regis with a comfortable win over 13th-placed Braintree.Incidentally, bottom club Bognor pulled off the shock of the day by overcoming second-placed and promotion favourites Chelmsford City 2-1, thanks to goals by Downes and Lynch, the pair who scored against Weston.Fielding the same side, Weston were in control from the start and almost scored in the first minute when a good passing move between Ben Wells, Manny Williams and Marc McGregor let in recent signing Jack Compton, but his shot was turned behind for a corner.Braintree came close on six minutes when Michael Green's slow back-pass caught out keeper Ryan Northmore on his 200th appearance for the Seagulls, and his hurried clearance fell for Braintree's Sean Marks who headed over.But Weston were soon back on the attack and opened their account on 13 minutes when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Braintree penalty area and Compton lifted his shot over the defensive wall and out of reach of keeper Craig Holloway.Five minutes later Weston forced another corner on the left and from Compton's flag-kick Craig Rand rose above the Braintree defenc to firmly head past Holloway.The home goal had a let off on 25 minutes when Lee Burns' blistering 25-yard rasper came back off the angle of post and bar with Northmore rooted to the spot.Keeping up pressure, Green saw his effort from a tight angle go along the top of the Braintree crossbar on 30 minutes and a minute later Green was sent sprawling in the penalty area, but Bournemouth referee Justin Amey, who was in a good position, waved play on.Just before the interval, McGregor wasted a great chance by firing wildly over when put through by Williams and Wells forced a full-length save from Holloway.For the second half, Weston brought on Dean Grubb for Darren Mullings, who picked up an ankle injury when he crashed into the barrier behind the Braintree goal, and on 51 minutes Grubb forced another corner from Holloway as he finished a speedy run from half way.The Braintree goal had a let-off four minutes later when Compton's low cross cannoned off the legs of a prone defender and into the grateful arms of Holloway. Later, Holloway denied Williams, saving with his legs, and Wells was just over with a distance effort.But there was no stopping Weston as Compton with another run on the left, carved the defence open and his low cross was met by Grubb who scored by the far post on 67 minutes.Braintree got an undeserved consolation on 79 minutes when Marks scored with a free header from a corner.For the final eight minutes, Dayle Grubb, younger brother of Dean, and captain of the Youth team, had his first taste of senior football, replacing Compton who picked up a knock, and the youngster, on a run through the defence, was fouled by Braintree's Chris Piper, which earned him a yellow card.WESTON STATSGoals: Weston, Compon (13), Rand (18), Dean Grubb (67). Braintree, Marks (79)Shots on target: Weston 6, Braintree 1.Shots off target: Weston 6, Braintree 3.Corners: Weston 7, Braintree 3.Offsides: Weston 2, Braintree 2.Free kicks conceded: Weston 10, Braintree 15.Referee: Justin Amey (Bournemouth). Good game.Bookings: Braintree, Bruce, Piper.Attendance: 254.Weston squad: Northmore, Green, Parrinello, Harris, Rand, Comyn-Platt, Wells, Mullings (Dean Grubb 46), Williams (Brown 76), McGregor, Compton (Dayle Grubb 82). Subs (not used): Willshire, Clark.ON Saturday, Weston travel to Dulwich Hamlet to take on bottom club Fisher Athletic and will be looking to complete a league double, having won 3-1 in January, thanks to goals by Rand, Mullings and Williams.