Match report by Rob Hammett, photography by Ade Threasher
Weston climbed to the summit of Vanarama National League South following their 4-1 victory over Aveley at the Optima Stadium, making it sixteen games unbeaten in all competitions for The Seagulls.
Following Tuesday’s victory at Salisbury, manager Scott Bartlett made three changes to his starting eleven as Sam Avery, Reuben Reid and Luke Coulson were named from the first whistle.
Reid was busy in the early stages of the match and there were signs of a blossoming partnership with Sam Pearson as the two linked up well with each other, as the former set up the latter but Pearson’s fierce drive was well held by visiting goalkeeper, Carey Bloedorn.
But it was Aveley who went closest to breaking the deadlock when a well-executed corner ended up with the ball being played to Manny Ogunrinde, but he blazed over from close-range.
The Seagulls weren’t so fortunate minutes later though, as the Essex side took the lead. Good link-up play from Ibby Akanbi and Ogunrinde found Tyrese Owen six yards out, and he had the simple task of stroking the ball home to delight the travelling Millers fans behind the goal.
Bloedorn again denied the lively Pearson, before Max Harris had to move quickly to keep out an effort from Josh Anifowose.
Reid looked poised to equalise, but his shot on target was miraculously cleared off the line by Jason Ring, and Nick McCootie fired just over with a left-footed volley from Billy Kirkman’s cross.
Weston grabbed the equaliser their play deserved towards the end of the first-half, as Luke Coulson’s perfect delivery from the right was swept home by Pearson from around eight yards out.
HALF-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 1-1 Aveley
The Seagulls came out for the second-half in determined fashion, and Bloedorn did magnificently to tip over another ferocious strike from McCootie. From the corner, Keiran Thomas headed just wide.
The first-half had been a fairly even affair, but in the second 45 minutes it was Weston with the majority of possession and attacking play, and The Seagulls were rewarded after 65 minutes.
And it was the same combination again, as Coulson’s teasing cross was headed home by Pearson as he celebrated his 23rd birthday in style.
Thomas was then able to display his defensive attributes with a brilliant tackle as Aveley threatened, before another defender was able to get on the scoresheet. Again, Coulson found himself in space and his sublime cross met the head of Sam Avery, who emphatically headed home past the despairing dive of Bloedorn.
That goal seemed to settle the contest and the victory was rubber-stamped when substitute Dylan Kadji hit the back of the net with a bullet header following a wonderful free-kick delivery from Coulson, who, incredibly, grabbed his fourth assist of the game.
It was a delighted Optima Stadium at full-time on what was a glorious afternoon in BS24. The players now have a rare Tuesday off from competitive action as they now prepare for next Saturday’s mouth-watering FA Cup First Round tie at Bristol Rovers.
FULL-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 4-1 Aveley (Pearson 43’, 65’, Avery 76’, Kadji 83’; Owen 19’)
Weston: Harris; Thomas, Avery, Lewis, Kirkman (Pope 71’); Jagger Cane, Dodd (Bastin 85’), Pearson, Coulson (Rose 85’); McCootie (Kadji 71’), Reid.
Sub not used: Absalom.
Man of the Match: Sam Pearson. On an afternoon when there were again many candidates for the award, Pearson deserves it for his well-taken brace, and was a constant threat throughout.
Attendance: 990
