Match Report by Liam Drury, Photography by Mark Stainer.

Weston battled hard in a good performance away at Hampton & Richmond, earning a point under the lights in a 0 – 0 draw.

A couple of changes were made to the Weston side from the last match against Worthing 10 days prior, Raphael Araoye and Harvey Greenslade both coming into the side after completing loan moves within the last 72 hours. Oli Jenkins was recalled from his loan spell at Tiverton and named as a substitute.

Greenslade tested Hampton keeper Ted Curd inside the opening 20 seconds, Weston winning possession from Hampton’s kick-off and allowing the young striker the chance to shoot at goal from 25 yards. Araoye and Reuben Reid then narrowly failed to put Weston ahead following a dangerous Sam Pearson free-kick, Hampton clearing away but only as far as Reid, the striker’s curling effort on his left foot just past the post.

George Hunt tested Max Harris at his near post on the half-turn before Weston cleared as far as Ibrahim Jalloh, the winger’s low strike from 20 yards held low down by Harris. Curd could comfortably hold an Emlyn Lewis header from Pearson’s set-piece delivery, before Mauro Vilhete saw a long-range strike blocked by the imposing frame of Sam Avery.

Hampton saw an opportunity from a corner go begging, a toe-poke from a home player drop just past the post. Pearson flashed an attempt narrowly past the far post when cutting inside from the left, before Jordan Bastin tested Curd with a strike from inside the area following Pearson’s through ball when on the counter. 

Greenslade flicked a low Pearson cross wide at the front post when the former Yeovil winger managed to get the best of his man down the wing, before Vilhete fired wide for Hampton down the other end. Reid saw a chance for the Seagulls blocked from 18 yards following an opportunity presenting itself, before Greenslade saw penalty appeals waved away after a tangle of legs inside the opposition 18-yard box.

Half-Time: Hampton & Richmond 0 – 0 WsM AFC

At the start of the second half, Bastin fired over from 20 yards when a loose ball bounced in his direction, while Mike Atkinson saw the ball skid off him from 25 yards down the opposite end of the pitch when contesting with Greenslade in a 50-50. Bastin then fired over inside the area in a move very similar to his goal at Bristol Rovers a month prior, but this time his attempt cleared the bar.

Hampton substitute Alfie Williams curled a shot into Harris’ arms from the edge of the area, before Greenslade saw a 25-yard attempt skid across the surface and just past the post as Scott Bartlett’s men looked for that crucial goal. Weston saw a glancing header from Keiran Thomas drop narrowly wide of the post following Lewis’ long throw, while Hampton defender Archy Taylor saw a cross from out wide clip the top of the crossbar minutes later.

Reid was soon appealing for handball against a Hampton player in the penalty area after looking to nod the ball beyond his marker in a foot-race, and in the last chance of the game, Sam Avery saw a free header from Bastin’s free-kick gathered low down by Curd.

In a promising performance from Weston, the Seagulls can now prepare for a home clash with Enfield Town this Saturday, as we look for all three points at The Optima.

Full-Time: Hampton & Richmond 0 – 0 WsM AFC

Weston XI: Harris, Bastin, Avery, Jagger Cane, Dodd, Reid, Pearson, Araoye, Lewis (C), Chamberlain (Thomas 59), Greenslade (Jenkins 90+1).

Unused substitutes: Bak, McCootie.

MOTM: Reuben Reid. A battling performance up front by the No.9, holding the ball up well, bringing his team-mates into play and not giving any of the Hampton defenders a moment’s peace.

Attendance: 350.