Despite taking an early lead at the Optima Stadium, Weston were defeated by four goals to one by Welling United. 

The Seagulls made several changes to the side that defeated Taunton Town in the Somerset Premier Cup in midweek, but it was the same starting eleven from last Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Dorking Wanderers. 

And it was a dream start for Weston, who went in front after just two minutes. Jordan Bastin’s pass forward found Sam Pearson, whose trickery forced a corner for the home side.

From the set-piece, the ball found its way back to Luke Coulson, and his delicious delivery into the penalty area was touched home from close range by Dylan Kadji, who scored his second goal in two games.

Moments later, Pearson was in space 25 yards out and his shot was awkward for goalkeeper Dylan Berry, but he eventually held onto it.

Jayden Davis had a glorious chance to equalise for Welling but he headed over from close range, but The Wings got themselves back on level terms shortly after when their captain Dave Winfield bravely headed home. 

The Optima was then stunned when Welling took the lead just before the half-hour mark, when ex-Weston man Dan Martin sent in a cross that was forced home by the head of Finn Ballard-McBride. 

The Seagulls had a great chance to equalise after the forwards combined well. Coulson played in Pedro Borges on the right flank and his fantastic ball across the Welling penalty area was turned over the bar by Pearson.

HALF-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 1-2 Welling United 

At the start of the second-half, Coulson was close to providing again but his cross was headed just over by substitute Ollie Chamberlain, before Max Harris’ pinpoint ball forward was controlled superbly by Pearson, but his effort goalwards was brilliantly saved by Berry, via a deflection.

Sadly for Weston, Welling doubled their lead as a ball in from the right was turned home by Davis’ header, making amends for his earlier miss.

Weston tried to get back in the game as Chamberlain was close again from a Keiran Thomas pass, then Emlyn Lewis did superbly high up the pitch to set up Borges but his dangerous cross was frantically turned behind for a corner by a Welling defender.

Another substitute, Ollie Bray, was in the thick of the action as he used his pace to earn a corner, one of thirteen that Weston accumulated. Coulson’s delivery found the head of Bray, but his downward header was collected by Berry.

Josh Seberry tried his luck with an overhead kick, but Weston were caught out as Welling broke and grabbed a fourth goal as Zain Walker slotted home from the edge of the area.

Ollie Jenkins, another replacement, sent the ball in from the right towards Bray, his effort was blocked by Berry with the rebound falling to Borges, but Berry made a great double save to exacerbate The Seagulls’ frustration. 

Weston have an almost immediate opportunity to put this result behind them, as they make the trip to Slough Town this Tuesday, 28th January at Arbour Park.

FULL-TIME: Weston-super-Mare AFC 1-4 Welling United (Kadji 2′; Winfield 18′, Ballard-McBride 28′, Davis 56′, Walker 86′)

Weston: Harris; Thomas (Jenkins 84′), Emlyn Lewis, Seberry, Bastin: Kadji, Jagger Cane (Chamberlain 3′, Bray 71′); Borges, Dodd, Coulson; Pearson (Ayers 90’+4)

Sub not used: Morgan Lewis

Attendance: 860

Man of the Match: Luke Coulson. An excellent assist for the Weston goal, and a hard-working performance throughout.