YOUNG SEAGULLS WIN LEAGUE IN STYLE

Weston-super-Mare AFC U18s won the Western Counties Floodlit League in style as they beat Paulton Rovers 6-1.

The game started as a nervy affair and it was quickly clear what was at stake. Weston needed 3 points and nothing less if they wanted to secure the title.

Paulton started slightly brighter with a couple of quick breaks but at no point did they trouble Jacob Sheridan in the Weston goal.

Weston soon grew into the game and Dan Maspero had a great chance after 20 minutes. Having weaved his way past the back line he found himself 1 on 1 but could only find the gloves of the goalkeeper who made himself big.

Soon after the Young Seagulls did make the breakthrough as Liam Graham used his blistering pace to beat the defence and when one-on-one who made no mistake and fired home for 1-0.

The rest of the half went by with little incident, Westcott saw a shot incredibly saved at the near post while at the other end the Paulton 9 was booked for simulation. Weston went in with the lead but the game certainly wasn’t over.

Half Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC U18s 1-0 Paulton Rovers U18s

Any nerves at the start of the first half were certainly not carried into the second half as Weston found themselves 2-0 within 40 seconds of the restart.

Maspero once again danced through the middle before laying off Oscar Collins on the right who curled his effort past the keeper for his first goal of the night.

Just five minutes and Collins had himself a brace. This time it was Callum Dean who won the ball in the middle and played his pass to Collins who needed one touch before firing his effort home to make it 3-0.

Just as Weston could begin dreaming they were harshly brought back down to earth as Paulton jumped at the opportunity of some slow play in the middle and countered effortlessly before firing home to make it 3-1.

There was no sign of any worry from Weston as within 50 seconds of the Paulton goal, Collins had himself a hat-trick just 8 minutes after his first goal.

Fenton King won a tackle on the halfway line and slotted Graham through on the left. Graham’s ball across the box was with pin-point accuracy leaving Collins an easy chance for his hat-trick.

Weston hadn’t quite finished yet and Graham found himself with a brace just 5 minutes later. As he’d done so many times already, he found himself past the back line and with only the keeper to beat he fired his shot into the bottom corner to make the game 5-1.

Collins wasn’t content with just the 3 goals and managed to bag himself a 4th on 80 minutes. Substitute Isaac Neale played a wonderful ball across the box leaving Collins with an open goal to finish the night with his fourth, and Weston’s sixth.

As the final whistle went at the Optima Stadium there were jubilant scenes all round ending with a second trophy lift within 10 days for Weston-super-Mare AFC.

Full Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC U18s 6-1 Paulton Rovers U18s

Weston XI: Sheridan, Westcott (B King 70’), F King (Pegler 70’), Dean, Baggaley, Singfield, Owen, Masland, Graham (Neale 70’), Maspero, Collins (Stabbins 81’)

Unused Sub: Skidmore

MOTM: Oscar Collins