Match Report by Josh Thomas

Sam Avery marked his return to the starting line-up with a second half winner to help Weston AFC grind out a 1-0 win at Maidstone and make it nine points in six days on Bank Holiday Monday.

Scott Bartlett made four changes from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Chelmsford City with Avery, Jordan Bastin Reuben Reid and Nick McCootie all named in the starting 11 in place of Keiran Thomas, Morgan Lewis, James Waite and Brandon Bak.

The in-form Seagulls started brightly and were denied by a smart low save by Alexis Andre Jr from McCootie after being played in superbly by Reuben Reid but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

The hosts had their first opportunity of the game after 14 minutes when Bruno Andrade’s dangerous cross into the box was met by Matt Bentley, but the forward could only direct his header over.

Scott Bartlett’s men grew into the game and were unlucky not to score in the 36^th minute. Luke Coulson found Bastin with a deft volley, and the right-back saw his effort deflected behind for a corner. Coulson stepped up to take it and his excellent delivery found captain Emlyn Lewis but he couldn’t keep his header down and sailed over the bar.

Moments later Reid picked up a long ball and showed great strength to beat Reiss Greenidge but could only send his strike over.

The Stones then went close a couple of minutes of half-time. Ben Brookes long-field pass found Pierre Fonkeu on the right-hand side and his cross was met by Bentley, but he could only fire his first-time effort on the volley just wide of the far post as there was nothing to separate the two sides at half-time.

HALF-TIME: Maidstone United 0-0 Weston-super-Mare AFC

Maidstone began the second half just like they ended the first and won a free-kick in the 47^th minute.

Brookes’ delivery found its way to Reiss Greenidge, who won a corner and from the resulting set-piece the ball came out to Brookes, who crosses it to Temi Eweka but the defender can only head over.

Weston then won a free-kick of their own, which saw James Dodd’s effort blocked by the wall and came out to Bastin, who could only fire wide from 30-yards-out.

At the other end George Fowler played the ball to Aaron Blair but he could only fire over whilst stretching to leave the game firmly in the balance.

And just after the hour the Seagulls did get the goal they deserved. Coulson’s short corner was played to Dylan Kadji and his cross towards the back post was met by Avery, who steered home beautifully on the half volley into the bottom corner to spark raptures from the travelling supporters.

Maidstone substitute Jon Benton saw his header the wrong side of the post after Brookes’ fantastic cross before Kadji nearly made the game safe but he could only send his spectacular effort from the edge of the box just wide.

But the damage was already done as the Seagulls leave Kent with a smile on their faces after claiming all three points, as they now prepare for next Saturday’s home clash with Hornchurch.

FULL-TIME: Maidstone 0-1 Weston-super-Mare AFC (Avery 65)

Weston AFC: Buse, Bastin, Kadji, Pope, Avery, Dodd, Reid (Bak 90), Coulson, Emlyn Lewis ©, Chamberlain, McCootie (Cane 82).

Unused Substitutions: Absalom, Kempster, Morgan Lewis.

Attendance: 2,130

Man of the Match: Dylan Kadji. An impressive display in midfield helped keep Weston AFC calm and composed at Maidstone United. He played his part in the Seagulls win at the Gallagher Stadium when his superb cross was on point for Sam Avery to steer home the only goal of the game and help Weston claim their third win in six days.