WESTON-S-MARE 1 WELLING UNITED 2 - AFTER suffering their biggest defeat since Keynsham Town trounced them 6-0 in January 1975, Weston manager Andy Gurney was relieved of his duties after Tuesday's humiliating defeat at Havant.

WESTON-S-MARE 1

WELLING UNITED 2

AFTER suffering their biggest defeat since Keynsham Town trounced them 6-0 in January 1975, Weston manager Andy Gurney was relieved of his duties after Tuesday's humiliating defeat at Havant and youth team coach Ryan Northmore was installed as caretaker boss for the season's final two games and he will be assisted by skipper Mike Green.

Speaking to the Weston Mercury, club chairman Paul Bliss commented: "All through the season I gave my wholehearted support to Andy as I realised he had a lot of problems getting a successful side together with injuries, etc, but Tuesday's display was the straw that broke the camel's back. I feel he had lost the confidence of the dressing room and unfortunately had to go."

Against Welling, Messrs Northmore and Green opted to start with five of the successful youth set-up and they all gave sterling displays. Up front, Jake Harris and Jake Mawford chased and harried the Welling defence, Rhys Farmer at right back did not put a foot wrong and was not shy about making penetrating runs down the flank and in midfield Mason Gardener and Dayle Grubb were excellent, attacking at every opportunity with some slick passing moves.

Mawford created Weston's first chance on 14 minutes, bursting through on the left, beating two defenders and forcing a smart save from visiting keeper Charlie Mitten.

Four minutes later, Mawford popped up on the right and from his cross, Ben Cleverley smashed a shot against an upright with Mitten stranded.

Welling managed only one chance when home keeper Kevin Sawyer did well to parry Sam Hurrell's fierce drive to safety.

Early in the second half, Sawyer did well to turn Jack Obersteller's dipping volley over his crossbar, but a minute later at the other end, Harris was just wide with a fine lob.

The deadlock was broken on 53 minutes when Mawford was pushed by Welling defender and Cleverley beat Mitten from the penalty spot at the second attempt, the keeper blocking the first shot.

The sides were level on 61 minutes from another penalty when Craig Rand's clearance unfortunately struck Callum Hart's hand and Lee Clarke beat Sawyer from the spot.

Welling's winner came on 74 minutes when Hurrell's pass from the edge of the six-yard box presented Clarke with his second strike of the game.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Cleverley (53 penalty). Welling, Clarke (61, penalty, 74).

Shots on target: Weston 5, Welling 6.

Shots off target: Weston 7, Welling 7.

Corners: Weston 3, Welling 5.

Offside: Weston 3, Welling 3.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 8, Welling 17.

Referee: Daniel Cook (Gosport). Good game.

Bookings: Weston, Rand, Mullings. Welling, Cutler, Hobbs, Hurrell.

Attendance: 201.

Weston squad: Sawyer, Farmer (Josh Evans 82), Green, Gardener (Klein-Davies 38), Rand, Hart, Cleverley, Mullings, Harris, Grubb, Mawford (Ford 82). Subs (not used): Fortune, Tom Evans.

ON Saturday Weston travel to Bishop's Stortford for their final game of a most disappointing season.