The Seagulls fell to just their second league defeat in 18 games away at Beaconsfield Town in an evenly-contested 1-0 loss.
Nathan Minhas had the game’s first attempt when he stretched to meet a low Eliot Buchanan cross, but his toe-poke was straight at Max Harris. Weston skipper Dayle Grubb then curled a free-kick over the bar from 30 yards, before striker Reuben Reid had a shot from the edge of the area clip the outside of the post after he had controlled a Scott Laird pass.
Harris was called into action again when rushing off his line to block a Buchanan one-on-one following Dan Bradshaw’s through ball, before the Seagulls No.1 was down quickly to hold a low Sam Granville half-volley from the edge of the area. Minhas then had another opportunity for Beaconsfield after he was played over the top, but his shot across goal flashed just wide of the post.
Reid had an effort from the halfway line comfortably caught by Beaconsfield keeper Ravan Constable after the striker had seen the home custodian off his line, with Marlon Jackson’s shot on the half-turn a couple of minutes later straight at the keeper. Kyel Reid then had a free-kick right on the edge of the area, but he fired over Harris’ bar.
Scott Laird came close from a Jordan Bastin corner, his glancing header at the front post narrowly over the bar. Harris could hold a Minhas shot on the turn from 25 yards, before Grubb placed a shot wide of the near post from inside the box after Bastin’s low corner.
In the second period, Constable was the first keeper to make a save when he could comfortably gather Reid’s shot following James Dodd’s run in behind and subsequent lay-off, before Reid had another attempt gathered by the home keeper following Laird’s deflected cross. Jacob Jagger Cane then curled over the crossbar from the edge of the box on his left foot after being found by Bastin.
The hosts were to take the lead midway through the half when a Harris pass out from the back was picked up upon by Toby Little. Baring down on goal, he squared the ball across for strike partner Buchanan and the seasoned striker could tuck his attempt past Harris to break the deadlock.
Looking to get back into the game, Reid had a toe-poke from six yards held by Constable after Jackson had drove to the byline and delivered a cross, before the keeper held a Reid shot on the turn from inside the area. Grubb then had an attempt from outside the area with a free-kick, but his effort around the wall was held by Constable.
As Weston looked for an equaliser, Laird drove an attempt wide of the target from 20 yards before Dodd’s left-footed strike from a similar position took a nick off a Beaconsfield foot and trickled through for Constable.
With time ticking down, Beaconsfield were able to keep the ball upfield and hold the Seagulls at arm’s length for the final few minutes to take all three points and inflict a second league defeat on Scott Bartlett’s men.
FT: Beaconsfield 1-0 Weston (Buchanan 67)
Attendance: 86.
Weston XI: Harris, Pope, Laird, Jagger Cane, Humphries, Avery, Dodd, Jackson (Murray 82), Grubb (C), Bastin (Watts 82), Reid. Unused substitutes: Moulden, Coppin, Purnell.
MOTM: Reuben Reid.