One change was made from last week’s 3 – 1 defeat at AFC Totton, Dan Martin coming in for the suspended Callum Wood. U19s Owen Johnson & Fin Croft were named on the bench, while Exeter City loanee Charlie Cummins was named as a substitute after joining from the League One side.
For Needham Market, Kyle Hammond headed over the bar when attacking a Tommy Smith cross, before Martin saw a cross-shot evade any Weston foot as he stretched to attack an inswinging Luke Coulson cross at the back post. Louis Britton then poked a Michael Smith cross wide six yards out, before Weston’s No.9 was inches away from connecting with a Pearson cross.
Ben Hunter then saw a low shot from 25 yards for the visitors held by Harris at the end of a quiet first half. Pearson had an opportunity from distance moments before the interval. however his well-struck shot was blocked by a Needham foot.
Half – Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC 0 – 0 Needham Market
The Seagulls took the lead nine minutes into the second half when a Coulson free-kick was cleared back in his direction, his second delivery wasn’t dealt with by the visiting defence and Britton was on hand to poke in from close range for his ninth goal of the season.
As the visitors looked for a way back into the game, Jake Dye headed a Joe Neal corner wide at the back post. James Bradbrook pushed a Britton attempt away following a dangerous Martin run down the left, before Pearson curled narrowly wide of the target.
Harris clawed a Luke Ingram header round his post low down to his left, before substitute Ollie Saunders fired over the bar inside the area.
Needham Market substitute Jackson Nsofor was shown a second yellow card a minute from time for a challenge on Coulson by the left touchline just inside the Weston half.
Seagulls substitute Jake Hicks almost sealed the win deep into stoppage time when he won the ball down the left and charged into the area, his low effort being kept out by Bradbrook.
The hosts did manage to hold on however, and make sure that they would be into Monday night’s draw for the Emirates FA Cup First Round. We now have a clear week, before we prepare for an away trip to Hampton & Richmond in the Enterprise National League South next Saturday.
Full – Time: Weston-super-Mare AFC 1 – 0 Needham Market (Britton 54)
Attendance: 1,046.
Weston XI: Harris, Smith, Jagger Cane (Cummins 84), Avery, Coulson, Dodd, Britton, Pearson (Waite 80), Dawes (Hicks 65), Lewis (C), Martin.
Unused substitutes: Johnson, Pope, Woods, Croft (GK).
MOTM: Dan Martin. An excellent display from the left-back on his return to the side, defensively astute and continuously looking to get forward down the left flank when given the licence.
