Match Report by Liam Drury
In Weston’s first away trip of the 2024 pre-season, a brace from James Dodd saw Weston to a 2-0 win against Hellenic League opponents Slimbridge.
Following a good team performance against Exeter City, first starts of the 2024 pre-season were handed to Sam Avery, Jordan Bastin, Jamie Soule, Nick McCootie, Dodd & young trialist Finn Bell.
McCootie saw the first chance of the half when he drove over from a tight angle after finding space inside the area, before his strike partner Soule smacked a shot against the bar from 12 yards following McCootie’s pull-back.
The Seagulls were to get ahead when a run from Dodd into dangerous Slimbridge territory saw him brought down inside the area, and he stepped up to send Slimbridge keeper Olly Phillips the wrong way from 12 yards.
In a period of few clear cut chances following the opener, Dodd dragged a shot across goal and Weston failed to break down what was proving to be a stubborn Swans defence.
Half-Time: Slimbridge AFC 0 – 1 Weston-super-Mare AFC
Moments into the second period, half-time substitutes Reuben Reid and Ollie Chamberlain linked up, with the latter heading into Phillips’ hands from the former’s cross. Chamberlain then saw a low effort from inside the area well held by Phillips.
Morgan Lewis got an opportunity on his right foot inside the box, his shot tipped past the post by the fingertips of the Slimbridge keeper before Luke Coulson drove an attempt over the bar from 25 yards when bringing a clearance down onto his right foot.
Reid had an effort pushed round the post when he caught sight of goal, before Dodd drove over the angle of post and bar when being played the short corner.
The home keeper was called into action again when neat play down the left led to a Chamberlain header from six yards being pushed back into the No.17’s path, his follow-up shot again expertly kept out by Phillips in the Slimbridge goal.
Weston were to find the back of the net again thanks to Dodd, who managed to work himself a yard of space six yards out with an exquisite ball-roll before finishing past Phillips with his right foot.
Full-Time: Slimbridge AFC 0 – 2 Weston-super-Mare AFC (Dodd pen 13, 89)
Weston XI: Absalom (Croft 79), Thomas, Bastin (Waite 46), Pope, Avery (C), Bell, Dodd, Kempster (Coulson 46), M Lewis (Kempster 69), Soule (Crawford 20, Chamberlain 46), McCootie (Reid 46).
Attendance: 137.
MOTM: James Dodd. The midfielder kept the play ticking over in midfield and took both of his goals well, showcasing his finishing ability from the spot and from open play.
