Weston’s three-match winning streak came to an end at St Albans.

ST ALBANS CITY 2

WESTON-S-MARE 0

THIS was Saints’ first win for eight games and it put a halt to Weston’s three-match winning streak. The loss sees Weston drop one place to 13th in the Vanarama Conference South table.

Desperate for a win, Saints were a big physical side who conceded 16 free kicks and had three players cautioned.

Weston were without Jake Mawford, who picked up a knock against Bath, Jacob Cane coming into the midfield, the only change from the previous game.

The visitors made a positive start, Dayle Grubb made a penetrating run on the left on two minutes and fed Jamie Lucas who unfortunately scooped his shot over the home crossbar.

Saints forced a couple of corners and opened the scoring on 11 minutes when, after a good run by James Comley down the right, Sam Corcoran beat Luke Purnell from 25 yards.

As Weston looked for an equaliser, Grubb forced an excellent save at the expense of a corner by home keeper Joe Welch.

Although Weston forced two more corners, Saints extended their lead on 32 minutes when, from skipper Lee Chappell’s long throw, John Frendo headed past Purnell.

Weston were forced to make a change for the second half. Pierce Mitchell picked up a knock, so Bradley Ash came into the midfield with Jamie Edge dropping back into the defence.

The visitors had more of the play in the second half, but Saints pulled 10 men behind the ball to protect their lead, making life difficult for the Weston attack.

Lucas managed to beat Welch on 83 minutes, but the keeper recovered to save on his goal-line. A minute later, Lucas had the ball in the Saints’ net but was ruled offside.

Weston gave a 20-minute debut to another Academy youngster George King, who showed up well in attack and supplied the cross for Lucas’ offside goal.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Saints, Corcoran (11), Frendo (32).

Shots on target: Saints 4, Weston 3.

Shots off target: Saints 6, Weston 4.

Corners: Saints 4, Weston 5.

Offsides: Saints 2, Weston 3.

Free kicks conceded: Saints 16, Weston 9.

Referee: Chris O’Donnell (Leighton Buzzard). Good game.

Bookings: Saints, Chappell, Kaloczi, Corcoran. Weston: None.

Attendance: 363.

Weston squad: Purnell, Mitchell (Ash 46), Llewellyn (Brown 70), Edge, Tillson, Fortune, McClennan (King 68), Cane, Lucas, Grubb, Watkins. Subs (not used): Buxton, Sneddon-Coombes.

ON Saturday, Weston entertain Concord Rangers and will be hoping to overturn a 2-0 defeat suffered in November.