Chelmsford Goal Denies Seagulls Points
An early goal from new Clarets striker Phil Roberts proved to be the deciding goal in an encounter where chances were few and far between for both sides.
Weston came into the game deploying an unusual 3-4-3 formation, with Jake Lee slotting in at centre-back and Ash Harper playing at right wing-back. The formation was the first time it was used in the league this season, after being used twice in the Somerset Cup games so far.
Weston thought they were ahead just a minute in when Kenan Dunnwald took a pass down and volleyed into the bottom corner, although he was adjudged to be offside by the linesman.
It took Chelmsford eight minutes to break the deadlock though when a long-range effort from midfielder Taylor Miles was palmed away by keeper Luke Purnell, but striker Roberts, making his first start for the club, was on hand to make the most of the rebound to power home from close range, breaking the deadlock.
Weston pressed Chelmsford when the opposition, giving the visitors no time whilst in possession. Shaquille Hunter struck low at the keeper Sam Beasant, after being found by Ash Harper.
Gethyn Hill did well in the corner to work an opportunity, running onto a loose ball and somehow winning the battle with a Clarets defender despite the best efforts of the defender to bring him down. However, the Welshman’s final ball lacked power, allowing Chelmsford to clear.
At half-time, the introduction of Tristan Plummer for Aaron Parsons saw a change in formation and tactics, Weston reverting to a 4-4-2 and Plummer shifting out to the left wing.
Danny Greenslade curled narrowly wide from outside the area in the second half, as the home side tried to claw a point from the game.
Hunter had a number of opportunities to launch a counter-attack, but his final ball was lacking when Weston were presented with a 3-on-1 opportunity, however despite Harper and Plummer sprinting away and having peeled away from any defenders, Hunter’s ball came straight off the Clarets defender and away to safety.
A Weston corner was almost flicked in by Jason Pope at the near post as Weston continued to ramp up the pressure from various set-pieces and attacking opportunities.
Michael Spillane made an excellent last-ditch challenge to deny Hill a free shot on goal from just inside the area, and Diallo’s pass out wide to Hill who had run free was overhit and rolled out of play.
Within the dying embers of the game, Greenslade’s overhit cross, or perhaps an audacious shot from near the left touchline looked to be looping into the top corner however Beasant was just able to claw the ball over the bar.
FT: Weston 0-1 Chelmsford (Roberts 8)
Weston XI: Purnell, Lee, Greenslade, Cane (C), Pope, Parsons (Plummer HT), Harper, Diallo, Hill, Dunnwald, Hunter. Unused substitutes: Kington, Scott, Laird, Kingston.
MOTM: Ash Harper – Being used at right wing-back, the youngster constantly made overlapping runs, tracking back to help defend and wasn’t shy of looking to beat his man.