SEAGULLS BEATEN BY THE MAGPIES
Weston were beaten 3-0 by Maidenhead United despite significant improvements under caretaker boss Jon Haile.
The Seagulls started with Luke Purnell in goal,Ben Withey and Jordan Williams as the full backs and Jason Pope in central defence partnered by captain Clayton Fortune. Ashley Kington, Kane Ingram and Dayle Grubb made up the midfield and Joe McClennan and Bradley Ash out wide, leaving Shawn McCoulsky to lead the line.
The game started fairly evenly, Maidenhead had the lions share of the possession but did not test Purnell too much. Weston had their own chances too though, with Brad Ash seemed to have been shoved in the back in the opposition’s box within the opening minute of the game, however the referee didn’t see it. Grubb had an effort cleared off the line catching the keeper out of position and Kington also came close with a fierce free kick that forced a decent save from the home keeper.
However luck favoured the home side on the afternoon, and on the 39th minute Dave Tarpey headed in from a corner to give Maidenhead United a 1-0 advantage going into half time.
The second half started rather scrappily but Maidenhead seemed to just be edging the game. Clayton Fortune had to be subbed off for Ollie Barnes early in the second half due to an injury he picked up during the opening goal.
Maidenhead managed to score a second goal out of nothing, with Forbes scoring with what looked like a cross from the edge of the box to give the home side a 2-0 lead in the 57th minute.
Weston continued to fight and create opportunities, Ben Withey and Joe McClennan being a constant threat on the right wing. Despite all our creative flair, nothing seemed to be coming off in the final 3rd for The Seagulls. Elliot Richards replaced McCoulsky and Lewis Powell came on for Ash but nothing was falling for Weston.
The game’s final moments seemed to summarise the whole match for Weston, with the Magpies earning a penalty after what seemed like a fair tackle in the 89th minute, that Tarpey put into the bottom right corner to make the scoreline 3-0, and that’s how the game ended.
The final score wasn’t a fair representation of how well Weston actually played, Maidenhead defended well enough to shut us out however it was in no way a poor performance from the team and we certainly matched them in terms of desire and fight. Jon Haile and the squad should leave York Road proud of themselves, as well as the travelling Seagull Army who were in fine voice yet again.
Maidenhead United 3-0 Weston
Weston XI: Purnell, Withey, Fortune (Barnes), Pope, Williams, Kington, Ingram, Grubb, Ash, McClennan (Powell), McCoulsky (Richards)
MOTM: Ben Withey – In a positive general team performance it was hard to pick a man of the match, however on his return to the 1st team Withey looked very accomplished and provided a good forward outlet.
Match report by Liam Byrne.