Match Report by Rob Hammett, Photography by Ade Threasher
In front of a bumper attendance at the Optima Stadium for Community ‘Pay What You Want Day’, Weston and St Albans City fought out a 0-0 draw.
Following last Saturday’s game at Tonbridge Angels, there were three changes to the line-up as Dylan Kadji and Reuben Reid were in the starting eleven, as was new loan signing Josh Seberry, who joined Weston from Newport County earlier in the week.
The Seagulls were first to attack as the lively Sam Pearson burst down the right-hand side, and his teasing cross was turned behind for a corner.
Pearson was again involved as James Dodd’s perfect tackle and accurate pass forward found Pearson, who released Reuben Reid, but his shot was saved by Michael Johnson.
Pearson backheeled the ball into the path of Luke Coulson but he fired just over from 25 yards, before Jacob Jagger Cane’s on-target effort inside the area was blocked.
St Albans were always likely to pose a threat in attacking areas with the prolific Shaun Jeffers in their ranks, and he had two opportunities of note during the first-half.
Firstly, he made an interception inside the Weston penalty area before composing himself to place the ball past Max Harris, but Emlyn Lewis was well positioned to clear the ball off the line.
Jeffers was again denied when his ferocious, swirling shot from 25 yards was superbly saved by Harris’ astonishing stop as he tipped the ball onto the angle of post and crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 0-0 St Albans City
At the start of the second period, Harris was called into action again as he made a good low save to deny Jack James, then at the other end Jordan Bastin did well to twist and turn away from his man but he shot just over.
Bastin then nearly turned provider when his lovely ball across the box was touched goalwards by Dodd, but Johnson did extremely well to get down and keep the ball out of the net as Weston looked like breaking the deadlock.
Coulson’s cross was headed just over by the dangerous Dodd as Weston upped the tempo and intensity, but it was St Albans who went close again through Jeffers with time running out. His free-kick from 25 yards was just inches over the bar as Harris thwarted him again by touching the ball over the goal frame. To add to Jeffers’ frustration, the referee signalled for a goal-kick rather than a corner, before eventually blowing for full-time not long after.
Weston now have seven days until their next Vanarama National League South outing, a trip to Dorking Wanderers next Saturday, January 18th.
FULL-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 0-0 St Albans City
Weston: Harris; Thomas, Emlyn Lewis, Seberry, Bastin; Kadji, Jagger Cane; Pearson, Dodd, Coulson; Reid (McCootie 65′)
Unused subs: Avery, Morgan Lewis, Jenkins, Ayers
Attendance: 1,694
Man of the match: James Dodd. An excellent display from the former Exeter man, having plenty of involvement in some of Weston’s best attacks.
