Weston were unlucky to come away from Billericay with only one Blue Square South point as they outplayed their hosts

BILLERICAY TOWN 0

WESTON-S-MARE 0

WESTON were desperately unlucky to come away from the New Lodge ground with only one Blue Square South point as they outplayed their hosts, especially in the second half, twice hitting the home woodwork and having several efforts scrambled to safety.

The Seagulls were forced to play with a makeshift defence as Matt Villis was injured and loan signing Manny Parry was recalled by Stoke City on Thursday evening. However, Brett Trowbridge, normally a midfielder, partnered Jamie Laird in the heart of defence and gave an assured performance.

On four minutes, Weston forced the first of their five corners and from recalled Dayle Grubbb’s flag kick, Jamie Price was narrowly wide on the near post. Minutes later, Kane Ingram forced a decent save from keeper Luke Bartlett, on loan from Millwall and then Ross Stearn tested the keeper.

As Billericay got into the game, Junior Luke’s low cross was headed over the visitors’ goal by Alex Osborne and later when Osborne was fouled, Sam Lechmere’s free kick was well claimed by keeper Lloyd Irish, for the home side’s only effort on target.

Into the second half, Weston began to take control, with Grubb running the midfield and on 56 minutes, Stearn’s low effort was scrambled away by Bartlett, only to Ingram, whose cross was eventually cleared.

Weston’s best chance came on 63 minutes when, from a half cleared Grubb corner, Ashley Kington hit the foot of a post from 25 yards, the ball spinning back across goal and gratefully cleared. Later, Stearn shaved the same post with a low effort.

Ingram was next to go close, heading against the crossbar on 85 minutes with Bartlett beaten and the rebound was turned behind for Weston’s fifth corner. Just before the final whistle, Stearn had yet another effort beaten out by Bartlett.

WESTON STATS

Shots on target: Billericay 1, Weston 6.

Shots off target: Billericay 2, Weston 6.

Corners: Billericay 1, Weston 5.

Offsides: Billericay 5, Weston 3.

Free kicks conceded: Billericay 14, Weston 7.

Bookings: None by either side.

Referee: Alan Young. Excellent game. Officiated with a constant smile on his face.

Attendance: 385.

Weston squad: Irish, Price, Slocombe, Kington, Grubb, Laird, Stearn, Kirk, Hemmings, Ingram, Trowbridge. Subs (not used): Pepperell, McGregor, Diallo, Monks, McClaggan.

ON Saturday, Weston face a tough assignment when they travel to the Raymond McEnhill Stadium to take on Salisbury City, runaway Blue Square South League leaders in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

If a replay is necessary, it will be played on Tuesday next, November 13, at 7,45pm.