Scott Bartlett’s side began their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 win away to Bridgwater Town last night.
Summer signing Matt Jones had the first sight of goal for the Seagulls but he curled over from 25 yards, while striker Nick McCootie had a chance a minute later but could only fire into the side netting from Lewis Hall’s low cross at the back post.
Bridgwater took the lead 20 minutes into the game when an awkward bouncing ball forward was controlled by Luke Purnell. As he tried to take on Mike Duffy, the home forward robbed him of possession just outside his area and rolled into an empty net.
Lewis Hall had a shot from the edge of the area blocked after he weaved through three Bridgwater defenders, before Jack Taylor had an effort for the hosts which was comfortably held by Purnell. Jones dragged wide from long range after driving forward from Chris Knowles’ pass. McCootie had an attempt from long range too, this time getting it on target but the strike was comfortable enough for Jake Viney.
Weston drew level when McCootie was brought down not far outside the area in a central position. There was only one real outcome with Dayle Grubb standing over the set-piece, and he curled it over the wall and into the top corner for his first goal since returning to the club.
Right-back Keiran Thomas had his first sighter of goal six minutes into the second half, but fired over from the edge of the area as Weston began to ramp up the pressure on their hosts.
Thomas was to find himself on the scoresheet midway through the half through a good team goal. Hall and Grubb exchanged the ball well down the left before finding substitute Mike Symons inside the area. He laid the ball off for Jacob Cane, who touched it on for the summer signing 12 yards out. On his weaker left foot, the full-back sweeped into the corner to put Weston ahead.
Second-half substitute Jack Goodall had a volley blocked at the back post from Jones’ wicked delivery before two of the young substitutes, Ryan Jones and Callum Eastwood, struck the woodwork in the space of a minute. Jones’ left-footed drive from 25 yards canonned off the crossbar before Eastwood’s left-footed shot from the edge of the area hit the post and rolled away.
Eastwood had the final attempt of the game, his curling effort from outside the area straight into the arms of Jake Viney.
FT: Bridgwater 1-2 Weston (Duffy 20 – Grubb 38, Thomas 64)