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Weston-super-Mare AFC - Match Reports

Match reports - Season 2007 - 2008

Weston-s-Mare 3 - 0 Sutton United

25/08/2007 -Blue Square South - 3:00pm

Sunny

Weston cruised to their second league victory of the campaign after this masterful display against a Sutton side still searching for their first win of the season.

Weston began the game with skipper Craig Loxton on the bench, Aaron Wilson coming in for his first start and the Seagulls should have taken the lead in the opening minute. Gareth Hopkins picked up a loose ball just outside the box, neatly dummied his marker but his powerful shot was too close to keeper Phil Wilson who gathered safely.

In the third minute the rampant Seagulls came close to opening their account once again when Wilson put through the dangerous Dean Grubb but his vicious shot was charged down.

The home side did better on 5 minutes when a neat move saw Andy Robertson free up Grubb with a superb through ball, Grubb made strides to the by-line before cutting back an inch perfect cross which allowed Hopkins to steer the ball wide of Wilson.

Nothing had been seen of the Sutton attack, Weston's defence coping admirably in the heat and firing almost at will at the visitors goal. Grubb picked up a loose clearance to force Wilson to his knees with a stinging drive.

It took 15 minutes before Sutton had a worthwhile attempt on goal, the diminutive Warren McBean forcing Ryan Northmore to save his long range effort.

On 28 minutes the stadium came to light as Grubb, tracking back fully 50 yards, dispossessed Craig Watkins and set off on a run of 80 yards, weaving himself past three tackles, only to be robbed at the last minute as he prepared to shoot.

Weston were playing their best football for many a long day and creating chances every time they attacked, Billy Clark headed narrowly wide from a tight angle and Marc McGregor, set up by Ashan Holgate saw his swerving shot saved.

Right on the stroke of half time Weston doubled their advantage when Hopkins chased a flick on and as keeper Wilson came off his line he managed to slip the ball through his legs and watched as it trickled into the empty net despite the desperate efforts of a defender. The second half was a different storty as Weston somehow managed to take their feet off the gas and allowed Sutton back into the game, their cause was not helped on 62 minutes when they had to make a double substitution, losing the influential Grubb and also stand in skipper Craig Rand, Loxton and Lee Smith coming on to replace them.

Sutton were allowed more time on the ball and they almost reduced the arrears after a flurry of activity in the Weston box, McBean saw his effort blocked, the resulting attempt to clear only managed to land the ball at the feet of Craig tanner and his cheeky back heel cannoned off the legs of McDonnell and away for a corner. Despite their dominance, Weston always looked dangerous on the counter and so it proved on 79 minutes when a crossfield pass from McConnell found Holgate, he cut inside and put Smith through, he neatly turned his marker before firing under the despairing dive of Wilson to put the game beyond doubt. As the game drew to a close Wilson came to Sutton's rescue twice in the space of a couple of seconds when he first blocked a shot from Smith with his legs and then recovered his posture to palm away the rebound from substitute Lewis Powell. Speaking after the game Weston Assistant manager Chris Smith described the game as "The best football Weston have played in a long time, a delight to watch and a very pleasing result. The only negatives are the knocks to Grubb and Rand which will have to be analysed over the weekend".

Game Statistics

Weston-super-Mare scorers - Hopkins (5,45), Smith (79)
Sutton United scorers -
Shots on target - 6/4
Shots off target - 2/2
Corners - 2/2
Offsides - 2/1
Freekicks -
Bookings - 2
Refereee - Richard Greenwood from Plymouth (4 / 5)

Wilson, Hudson, Bray (Pestle 81) Scarborough, Charles, Honey (Montague 63), Henry, Taiwo, McBean, Watkins (Greene 63), Tanner

Team Summary

Player	Played	Goals	Yellow	Red	MOTM	Ratings
Ryan Northmore [Goalkeeper]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 172/275 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Ben Willshire [Defender]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 140/255 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Barry McConnell [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 166/255 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Craig Rand [Defender]	Subbed Off					Official: 4/5 Fans: 184/320 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Billy Clark [Defender]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 179/285 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Marc McGregor [Forward]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 172/275 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Dean Grubb [Midfield]	Subbed Off					Official: 5/5 Fans: 197/310 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Andy Robertson [Defender]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 173/300 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Gareth Hopkins [Forward]	Full Game	2				Official: 4/5 Fans: 157/260 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Ashan Holgate [Midfield]	Subbed Off					Official: 3/5 Fans: 190/305 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Aaron Wilson [Midfield]	Full Game					Official: 4/5 Fans: 155/260 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Lee Smith [Defender]	Subbed On	1				Official: 3/5 Fans: 164/275 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Craig Loxton [Midfield]	Subbed On					Official: 4/5 Fans: 175/275 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5
Lewis Powell [Midfield]	Subbed On					Official: 3/5 Fans: 160/275 Vote: Currently 4/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5

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