Weston began their Somerset Cup defence with a 4-1 win away at Paulton Rovers, goals coming courtesy of Sam Hendy, Scott Laird and a Brandon Barnes brace.
Joe Hillard had an early opportunity inside the first minute when his free-kick was tipped over the crossbar, before Nick McCootie dragged an effort into the arms of Joe Perry after turning from a Connor Davies throw-in.
The hosts took the lead six minutes in when Jake Sloggett intercepted a Weston pass in defence, drove into the box and managed to slot in past Niall Maher to break the deadlock.
Weston were soon back on level terms though when McCootie cut inside, and poked the ball in behind for Hendy. The midfielder reached the ball before Perry, and poked in past the keeper for 1-1.
The Seagulls took the lead midway through the half when George Dowling weaved his way past a couple of Paulton defenders and slipped in Barnes, who stayed composed and lifted the ball over the onrushing Perry for his first goal in a Weston shirt.
Hendy had another opportunity to grab a goal, but his one-on-one when being fed through by Connonr Davies was kept out by the foot of Perry.
Weston got a third on the stroke of half-time when Barnes led a counter from a corner, perfectly weighting a pass into the box for Hendy. The quick midfielder reached the ball first and was brought down by Mason Harrison, the referee pointing to the spot. Up stepped first-half substitute Laird, and he converted his penalty into the corner for 3-1.
In the second half, Jacob Cane fired over from 20 yards, before Ben Bament hit a similar effort straight at Maher while Cane had another chance down the other end, this time dragging a shot into the arms of Perry from the edge of the area.
Cane again fired over from the edge of the area after Barnes had flicked a pass into his feet, before Perry reacted sharply to push a long range effort from Dowling over the top. Ryan Jones then had a free-kick smack off the post from 25 yards.
Dowling was the next player to come closest, his swerving effort from 25 yards clipping the outside of the post before going wide.
Weston sealed the victory when Jones cut inside and as he drew defenders towards him, he played a pass in behind for Barnes. The new striker took aim on his left foot from just inside the area, and he hammered home at the near post for 4-1.
Despite the scoreline, Paulton kept going and Davies was forced to head a Craig Allan header off the line from a corner, but Weston saw the victory out.
FT: Paulton 1-4 Weston (Sloggett 6 – Hendy 9, Barnes 26, 81, Laird pen 45+2)
Weston XI: Maher, Davies, Martin, Dowling, Parsons, Madden (Laird 18), Hendy, Cane (Griffith 81), McCootie (Pearce 73), Barnes, Jones. Unused substitutes: Purnell, Mawford.
MOTM: Brandon Barnes