Match report by Rob Hammett, photography from Mark Stainer 

The Seagulls moved up to second in Vanarama National League South following their 2-0 victory at Salisbury, as two late goals made it Weston’s fifteenth game without defeat.

Manager Scott Bartlett made four changes to his starting line-up after Saturday’s draw with Boreham Wood; as Jason Pope, James Dodd, Marley Rose and Nick McCootie were named from kick-off.

The Seagulls started the game brightly with Sam Pearson displaying some exquisite first touches to keep The Seagulls on the front foot, and Weston’s first opportunity came in the fifth minute as the excellent Jacob Jagger Cane fed the ball through to McCootie, but his left-footed effort was just wide. Moments later, a stinging shot from Pearson was well dealt with by home goalkeeper James Hillson.

Both sides were playing well, but were finding it difficult to muster clear-cut opportunities, and it wasn’t until later in the half that Weston had their next real sight on goal as Dylan Kadji tried his luck from long-range, but his fierce shot was eventually collected by Hillson.

Emlyn Lewis did superbly well to divert an ominous-looking cross away from his own six-yard box. From the corner, Salisbury appeared to have taken the lead but, thankfully, it was ruled out for offside.

The Seagulls were the next side who came close to breaking the deadlock. Rose crossed from the right towards McCootie and his powerful downward header was held by Hillson.

HALF-TIME: Salisbury 0-0 Weston-super-Mare AFC

At the start of the second-half, the game carried on in an almost identical fashion to the first-half, as both sides took it in turns to attack. However, strong defensive performances from both sides limited obvious goalscoring chances, with Lewis and Jagger Cane continually making timely blocks and interceptions to keep The Whites at bay. 

The returning Pope also didn’t put a foot wrong all night, and he did well to collect a loose ball before driving forward and seeing his shot from around 25 yards deflected behind for a corner. From the set-piece, substitute Luke Coulson’s delivery across the area found the imposing figure of Lewis, whose strong and powerful header back across the box eventually found the back of the net. Although there was initially some doubt about who got the finishing touch, Lewis is claiming the goal. The Weston players and fans behind the goal celebrated euphorically as the deadlock was finally broken in this tight game.

The goal seemed to deflate the Wiltshire side, and with three minutes to go it was nearly two for The Seagulls.  Billy Kirkman’s wonderful diagonal ball found another substitute, Reuben Reid. The former Plymouth Argyle man took a sublime first touch to guide it away from one defender, before his shot was turned behind for another corner.

And from this set-piece, Weston doubled their lead and cemented their victory. Coulson again provided the assist as his wicked corner curled underneath the crossbar, Hillson was unable to deal with it and Keiran Thomas, superb throughout, was able to gleefully turn the ball home from extremely close range, a richly deserved goal for the former Hereford man.

Incredibly, it was nearly three as Reid set up yet another substitute in Jordan Bastin, but his blistering effort was turned away by the busy Hillson.

Soon after, the referee blew his full-time whistle to signal another win for The Seagulls, and the fans and players celebrated together as the fantastic run continues.

Next up, Aveley visit the Optima Stadium this Saturday, 26th October in our next Vanarama National League South clash, where hopefully another large crowd will be there to cheer their side on. 

FULL-TIME: Salisbury 0-2 Weston-super-Mare AFC (Lewis 78′, Thomas 88′)

Weston: Harris; Thomas, Kirkman, Lewis, Pope; Kadji, Jagger Cane, Dodd (Bak 90’); Rose (Coulson 63’), Pearson (Bastin 84’), McCootie (Reid 63’). 

Sub not used: Absalom.

Man of the Match: There were many outstanding performances throughout The Seagulls side, with more than one Weston player deserving the award. But Keiran Thomas continued his fine form and put in his usual tough-tackling performance, attacked well and was in the right place at the tight time to seal the three points.

Attendance: 789