Weston suffered their third home defeat of the season at the hands of Sutton United.

WESTON-S-MARE 0

SUTTON UNITED 2

WESTON’S miserable start to their Vanarama National League South continued as they suffered their third home defeat, this time at the hands of 12th placed Sutton.

They gave an encouraging start to the game, pinning the visitors in their own half for long periods, but when Sutton scored twice in the space of five minutes, it seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of Weston and they faded as an attacking force.

In almost continuous early attack, skipper Dayle Grubb tested Sutton keeper Ross Warner and the home side forced the first of five first-half corners on six minutes. Grubb then had a strong low effort turned behind for Weston’s second corner.

Keeping pressure up, Tristan Plummer forced a superb flying save from Warner and Mitchell Page just turned the rebound wide.

After that Sutton came alive and forced their second corner before Bedsente Gomis opened their account with a wonderful 25-yard volley into the top left-hand corner of Luke Purnell’s goal on 27 minutes.

Five minutes later, the home defence gave time and space for Tom Bolarinwa to beat Purnell from 20 yards.

Weston never regained their earlier momentum for the remainder of the half and their only chance fell to Tsvetan Filipov who fired wide, while they forced three more unsuccessful corners.

In a quiet second half, both defences dominated with little goalmouth activity. For Weston, Joe McClennan had a low cross cut out as Plummer closed in and later, Grubb again tested the keeper.

Sutton’s best chance fell to former Weston favourite Ross Stearn, who ended a strong run on the left by firing wide.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Sutton, Gomis (27), Bolarinwa (32).

Shots on target: Weston 4, Sutton 3.

Shots off target: Weston 3, Sutton 4.

Corners: Weston 6, Sutton 5.

Offsides: Weston 6, Sutton 2.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 4, Sutton 9.

Referee: Dan Leach (Witney). Good game.

Bookings: Sutton, Spence, Bolarinwa.

Attendance: 368.

Weston squad: Purnell, McClennan (Ash 65), Barnes, Keary, Edge, Fortune, Plummer (Wilson 63), Filipov, Page (Mawford 50), Grubb, Cane. Subs (not used): Llewellyn, Byrne.

ON Saturday, Weston embark on the FA Cup trail when the travel to Hook Norton, Oxfordshire, for the second qualifying round encounter.

In the pyramid system, Hook Norton are among the lowest ranked sides still in the competition, in Step 10. So far they have beaten Frimley Green 5-0, Burnham 4-2 away in a replay and Eastbourne United 1-0. They lie in fifth spot in the Hellenic League Division 1 West.

Should a replay be necessary, it will be at the Woodspring Stadium the following Tuesday.