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Weston-super-Mare AFC - Match Reports

Match reports - Season 2007 - 2008

Hampton & Richmond 5 v 1 Weston-super-Mare

01/12/2007 -Blue Square South - 3:00pm

Rain

Weston slumped to their biggest defeat of the season on Saturday with a thoroughly inept display against the Leagues in form team. Time and time again the Weston defence were found wanting by a team playing controlled, aggressive football, moving off the ball, using slick passing moves to cut through the Seagulls defence like a knife through butter. Hardly surprising when you remember that Hampton are coached by Ex-West Ham legend Alan Devonshire, who played in sides that played 'sexy" football long before the phrase was first coined.

Admittedly Weston were without central defender Charlie Comyn-Platt and lost defenders Craig Rand and Ben Willshire through injury during the second half and then shipping three goals in a five minute spell, but they can have no excuses, they were second best at everything on Saturday, the truth of the matter is that Weston were just not good enough, and their alarming dip in form has seen them win just one of their last six league matches. Gone is the fast flowing football of the summer months, in it's place is a team that cannot string three passes together anymore, a team that is labouring in midfield and up front, a team that has seen it's confidence all but disappear with defeat after defeat.

Weston introduced new loan signing Aaron Ledgister, from Cheltenham Town, into the starting line-up but he did little to soften the blow of the defeat. Showing some neat touches but struggling to make an impact on a defence that was never seriously threatened throughout the game.

Things did not start greatly for Weston as they conceded a dubious penalty after just 5 minutes. Keeper Ryan Northmore was adjudged to have brought down Elliott Godfrey, who himself looked yards offside, the Referee pointing to the spot. Godfrey himself stepped up and easily beat Northmore to put the hosts one up.

Weston's first real effort on goal was a shot from skipper Craig Loxton which was easily held by keeper Matt Lovett. Rand then headed wide from a corner moments before the hosts doubled their lead. Francis Quarm combined with full back Graham Harper down the right touchline and the latter was allowed to slip inside before unleashing a 25 yard screamer which flew into the top right hand corner before Northmore could move.

The rest of the half saw the home side continue to attack with Lawrence Yaku forcing Northmore into three top class saves but then with just 10 minutes left of the half the Seagulls pulled a goal back. Forcing three successive corners they reduced the deficit when Lewis Powell got his head to a flick on from Rand and beat the keeper at the far post.

The loss of Willshire just prior to the hour mark was the turning point of the game, the unlucky defender was caught in the middle of a Hampton sandwich and had to leave the field with a serious ankle injury. Simon Heal coming on to replace him, and picking up a yellow card within three minutes, and from then on it was all Hampton. Within five minutes of the substitution a cross from the right saw Rob Paris completely unmarked at the far post and he headed home. A minute later Northmore had to race from his line to clear a long through ball, unfortunately the ball fell to Godfrey who expertly lobbed the stranded keeper from fully 35 yards, and then just three minutes later Alan Inns was allowed the time to twist and turn inside the area and his low shot went under Northmore's body.

Weston then lost Rand with what looked like a repeat of the concussion he picked up last week, Michael taylor coming on to replace him, but there was little the Seagulls could do to reduce the damage. The home side should have increased their advantage on at least two occasions before the end but were guilty of some terrible finishing, and shell shocked Weston were grateful to hear the final whistle.

Manager Tony Ricketts has stated that he will be hopefully looking to bring in a couple of players this week before the Seagulls entertain Fisher Athletic on Saturday at the Woodspring Stadium. Kick Off is at 3.00pm.

Attendance: 448

Game Statistics

Hampton & Richmond scorers - Godfrey (6pen, 64,) Harper (20), Paris (62) Inns (67).
Weston-super-Mare scorers - Powell (35)
Shots on target -
Shots off target -
Corners -
Offsides -
Freekicks -
Bookings - 0/2
Refereee - O. Saliy

Lovett, Harper, Matthews, Jeffrey(O), Paris, Wells, Inns, Godfrey, (Lake 84) Jeffrey(J),(Harris 76), Yaku (McAuley 84) Quarm. Subs Not Used Barnett, Fernandes.

Team Summary

Player	Played	Goals	Yellow	Red	MOTM	Ratings
Ryan Northmore [Goalkeeper]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 1523/2510 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Ben Willshire [Defender]	Subbed Off					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1405/2360 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Barry McConnell [Defender]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 1460/2390 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Craig Loxton [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1331/2240 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Craig Rand [Defender]	Subbed Off					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1555/2610 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Andy Robertson [Defender]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 1449/2535 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Dean Grubb [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1465/2425 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Marc McGregor [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 5/5 Fans: 1572/2580 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Gareth Hopkins [Forward]	Full Game					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1458/2400 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Lewis Powell [Forward]	Full Game	1				Official: 3/5 Fans: 1468/2395 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Aaron Ledgister [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1465/2420 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Simon Heal [Defender]	Subbed On					Official: 3/5 Fans: 1350/2250 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Michael Taylor [Defender]	Subbed On					Official: 4/5 Fans: 1540/2530 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Charlie Comyn-Platt [Defender]	Full Game					Official: n/a Fans: 1368/2315 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5

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