A solo Jamie Soule goal 11 minutes into the second half saw Weston win their second pre-season friendly at Dorchester Town 1-0.
Shaq Gwengne had the game’s first chance eight minutes in but fired wide from 20 yards after playing a one-two with Leighton Thomas, before Jamie Soule’s chip on the left foot from a tight angle following Jason Pope’s pass in behind was caught by Lloyd Thomas. Marlon Jackson then had a shot from the edge of the area deflect narrowly past the far post after collecting captain Dayle Grubb’s pass.
Grubb had a sight of goal from 25 yards in a central position following a quick break from a Dorchester corner, his drive straight at Thomas in the home goal. Gwengne then had an opportunity from six yards when connecting with Jake Graziano’s cross, but his free header was glanced just beyond the post. Trialist Opi Edwards got an opportunity on the right when freed by Soule, but his low strike was again held low down by Thomas.
Alex Moyse dragged a shot wide of the target for Dorchester from 25 yards, before Grubb volleyed over from 20 yards after controlling a long pass on his thigh when making a dart inside just before half-time.
Soule had the first chance of the second half when turning 18 yards out from a James Dodd flick, but his strike was comfortably held by Thomas. Jason Pope had a chance blocked by one of the Dorchester defenders six yards out when a Grubb corner fell to him, before the skipper had a 20-yard effort beaten away following good combination work down the left by Soule and Bailey Kempster. Dorchester’s Leighton Thomas then had a golden chance to break the deadlock when racing in behind from a long pass, but he could only fire wide of the target.
The Seagulls were to break the deadlock a few minutes before the hour mark. Pope sprayed a pass out wide to Soule on the left, who began to bring the ball inside. Jackson’s dummy run dragged a defender out of Soule’s path, allowing the forward to continue his solo run. Feinting away from one man, he then reversed an excellent shot from inside the area past Thomas to score his first for the club.
Substitute Jay Murray dragged a shot wide on his left foot from outside the area after cutting inside, before Luke Purnell was called into action to hold a low Lewis Toms effort from an angle. A deep cross then found a Trialist at the back post for the hosts, but the resulting header was over the bar.
A Dodd through ball to Kempster down the left allowed him to pull back for substitute Elis Watts 18 yards out, who fired over the bar first-time with his effort. Academy graduate Oscar Collins, making his first appearance of pre-season, then had the game’s final effort from 18 yards after beating his marker, but the effort was held by Lloyd Thomas.
FT: Dorchester Town 0-1 Weston (Soule 57)
Weston XI: Purnell, Thomas, Kempster, Pope, Humphries, Avery (Watts 58), Edwards (Murray 58), Dodd, Jackson (Collins 68), Grubb (C), Soule (Maspero 68).
MOTM: Bailey Kempster.