Weston lost for the third time this season, again conceding four goals in the process.

WESTON-S-MARE 2

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD 4

DESPITE giving a much more positive performance than previously this season, Weston conceded four goals for the third successive Vanarama National South game, this time against unbeaten Hemel.

This latest setback sees the Seagulls languishing at the bottom of the table and still pointless. Despite the loss, the squad cannot be faulted for commitment as they had the better of the exchanges several times in the game.

The visitors were quickly out of the blocks, opening the scoring in the second minute when skipper James Potton beat keeper Luke Purnell from 15 yards. Jamie Slabber tested Purnell a minute later and Hemel struck again on five minutes when Jamal Lowe made a strong run down the right, drawing the home defence, and from his low cross into the six-yard box, Oliver Hawkins easily scored.

As Weston came into the game, twice Tristan Plummer had strong efforts beaten out by keeper Jamie Butler, as did Dayle Grubb. At the other end, Lowe’s effort was batted to safety by Purnell.

Early in the second half, Jacob Cane flashed a header just wide of the Hemel goal, but on the hour Matt Spring increased Hemel’s lead with a superb 35-yard effort which went in off a post and left Purnell standing still.

Despite this setback, Weston rallied and when their second corner was not properly cleared, Clayton Fortune scored from 20 yards with a shot that took a deflection over Butler, only for Spring to score his second with another screamer, this time from 25 yards.

Weston did not allow heads to drop and they struck again on 71 minutes when defender Ben Withey ended a strong run on the right by beating Butler from 18 yards. Minutes from the end, Plummer was denied a score when he raced through the defence, only for Butler to concede a corner with a full-length save.

Hemel had to play out four minutes of stoppage time when Michael Richens was shown a second yellow card by Gloucester referee Tim Wood.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Fortune (64), Withey (78). Hemel, Potton (2), Hawkins (5), Spring (60, 71)

Shots on target: Weston 6, Hemel 5.

Shots off target: Weston 5, Hemel 5.

Corners: Weston 3, Hemel 0.

Offsides: Weston 1, Hemel 1.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 12, Hemel 8.

Referee: Tim Wood (Gloucester). Not his best game at Weston. Missed several crucial things.

Bookings: Weston, Barnes, Ingram. Hemel, Herd, Gnahore, Richens (2 yellows)

Attendance: 368.

Weston squad: Purnell, Withey, Barnes, Keary, Edge (Ingram 61), Fortune, Cane (McClennan 75), Mawford, Wilson (Byrne 75), Grubb, Plummer. Subs (not used): Llewellyn, Ash.

ON Saturday, Weston have another home game when they entertain Eastbourne Borough (3pm).