Report

WESTON’S weakened squad put in a sterling performance against third-placed Chelmsford in a rearranged Blue Square South fixture.

The Seagulls were without suspended Kane Ingram, injured Jak Martin and Marcus Duharty while Jamie Price and skipper Ben Kirk were unavailable. Jake Mawford and Jack Camm of the under-19 squad were on the bench.

Chelmsford dominated from start with Ricky Modeste and Craig Parker making speedy inroads down the flanks, but keeper Lloyd Irish was well protected by central defenders Matt Villis and Jamie Laird.

Weston’s Sahr Kabba was proving a handful to the home defence and in a breakaway on 26 minutes his rising shot struck the outside of an upright before going behind. However, he did better on 39 minutes when just inside the home half he was put through by Ben Cleverley, outstripped the defence and rounded keeper Stuart Searle before tapping into the empty net for his 11^th goal of the season..

On 59 minutes, Brett Trowbridge was yellow carded for a foul and from the 25-yard free kick skipper David Rainford equalised with a shot that took a deflection.

Chelmsford began to dominate after that and they took the lead on 66 minutes when substitute Alex Osborn scythed through the Weston defence and crossed for Kezie Ibe to beat Irish.

Weston had Nabi Diallo, on as an emergency defender, sent off for a second bookable offence on 84 minutes and on 90 minutes Chelmsford’s new signing Warren Whitley finished a strong run by scoring the third.

A minute into added on time Kabba was tripped in the penalty area and Nat Pepperell converted the penalty for his 10^th strike of the campaign