Michael Smith made his first start after being announced as an official Seagulls player, while Jacob Jagger Cane was named on the bench after a short injury layoff in pre-season.

Luke Coulson had the game’s first opportunity, rolling an effort into the arms of Lucas Myers after some good play by James Dodd and Will Dawes to work the chance. Sam Pearson had two volleys from cleared corners blocked by a stubborn Melksham defence, who also stood firm to clear a flurry of Weston crosses and set-pieces. A Pearson shot was also pushed away by Myers inside the area, the loose ball narrowly avoiding the foot of Louis Britton

The final chance of the first half fell to the hosts, Will Christopher stretching at the back post to reach a long throw but just unable to connect with the opportunity yards out.

Half-Time: Melksham Town 0 – 0 Weston-super-Mare AFC

The first opportunity in the second period came the way of Britton, whose downward header from an excellent Dodd cross was kept out by Myers in the Melksham goal. Melksham’s Trialist then volleyed over from 35 yards when a corner was headed clear in his direction. Britton tested Myers again, this time turning 30 yards out and seeing a low effort kept out by the hand of the keeper.

Weston’s pressure on the ball eventually told in the 68th minute when a neat passing move led to Dan Martin being found on the left. The defender beat his man to charge into the box, his low cross cleared against the leg of James Waite by Melksham defender Dave Thompson before looping over Myers and into the far corner for 1 – 0.

A Ralph Graham overhead kick following pinball in the Weston area from a corner drifted harmlessly wide, in a rare Melksham foray forward.

Britton was to get his name on the scoresheet nine minutes from time when a good passing move between Waite, Martin and Dodd released Pearson down the left channel. His left-footed delivery was onto the striker’s head perfectly, and his downward header from 12 yards nestled in the bottom corner as he wheeled away to celebrate a first goal for the club.

Britton curled an attempt over inside the area following a counter involving Pearson and Waite, before he rattled the crossbar when meeting a low Pearson cross from the right. Harris was called into action during the closing stages when he reacted sharply down to his right, pushing a low effort round the post inside the area.

The Seagulls now look ahead to a tough test against Bristol City U21s next Tuesday 29th July, as we head into our final two pre-season matches.

Full-Time: Melksham Town 0 – 2 Weston-super-Mare AFC (Waite 68, Britton 81)

Attendance: 312.

Weston XI: Harris, Smith (Jenkins 68), Pope (Waite 59), Wood (Hicks 86), Coulson (Salmon 71), Dodd (Bak 86), Britton, Pearson, Dawes (Avery 59), Lewis (C), Martin.

Unused substitute: Jagger Cane.

MOTM: Sam Pearson. The No.11’s energetic runs on and off the ball created space for his team-mates, also created a great second goal for Britton with an excellent cross.