The Seagulls’ Fighting Spirit Earns a Point
Final score was 0-0, with Weston taking home a well-deserved point after a superb defensive display against Oxford City.
Weston arguably had the better off the chances in the first half, in the 29th Kane Ingram rose above everyone to glance a header towards goal from a corner, however it span just wide of the far post. Ingram was at it again 3 minutes later when he just missed a low cross from the right with a back heel, however he failed to make contact.
Brad Ash made a constant nuisance of himself throughout the game, creating two potential penalty decisions, the first one coming when Kington played him through on goal and the Oxford keeper sprinted off his line and slid into Ash on the edge of the box, however the officials deemed it as fair. Later on in the first half a cross came in for Ash to win however a defender’s hand seemed to beat him to it, however again the officials didn’t see it and the shout for a spot kick was denied.
Despite all of the Seagulls’ good work, they were almost undone very late on in the second half, however an excellent save from Luke Purnell and then a heroic block on the line from Jon Moran prevented the home side from taking the lead.
The score at half time was 0-0, however Weston played extremely well and looked very comfortable.
The second half didn’t have many clear cut chances, Joe McClennan shot narrowly wide twice from the edge of the box but the play was often broken up by petty fouls from the home side, making it difficult for Weston to build a rhythm. The Seagulls had an array of set pieces too but failed to capitalise, however a flicked header by Jamie Laird from a corner was blocked and cleared off the line.
In the 92nd minute Jamie Laird was fouled with what appeared to be an intent to harm by Scott Davies directly in front of the dugouts and Davies was rightfully sent off for it, however the violent nature of the challenge invoked an angry response from Weston fans however the squabble was eventually settled by the calming presence of Kane Ingram and Scott Bartlett.
A fantastic performance from the defence and lots of pressure and aggression from the midfield made sure Weston came home with a clean sheet, it was a great performance overall.
The final score of the match was 0-0. The Seagulls’ next match is at home to Hampton & Richmond on Saturday 29th of October.
MOTM: Jamie Laird
Weston XI: Purnell, Withey, Moran, Baldwin, Laird, Kington (C), Humphries (Cane 54), Ingram, McClennan, Powell (Bird 79), Ash
Oxford City 0-0 Weston
Match report written by Liam Byrne.