Weston-super-Mare 0
United 3
(Worthington 15′, Dennis 84′, 87′)
United’ s play-off prospects received a boost on Good Friday, as Jimmy Ball’s side ran out clear winners in somerset.
After skipper Matt Worthington fired his side ahead early on, The Gulls stood firm to hold off The Seagulls’ efforts before substitute Louis Dennis put the result beyond doubt with two late goals.
Manager Jimmy Ball made two changes to the side that beat Horsham on Non-League Day, with Callum Dolan and Reece Evans taking the places of Dylan Morgan and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.
Weston did the early running, but it was Ball’s side who broke the deadlock on 15 minutes.
Evans, on his full debut, did well to divert the ball into the path of Worthington on the edge of the box, and after setting his sights, the United captain curled a delightful effort past Seagulls stopper Max Harris and into the back of the net.
The Gulls went close to making it two in the 35th minute, as a quick counter attack ended with Evans breaking into the penalty area, but just when the on-loan Reading man looked set to round Harris and fire home, the Weston glovesman recovered to claim the ball at the striker’s feet to keep the scoreline the same at the interval.
Following the change and with the wind at their backs, the home side spent large periods inside the United half.
Goalkeeper Seb Stacey was largely untroubled though, and United’s threat on the break nearly saw them punish Weston’s wastefulness, with Deon Moore robbing Emlyn Lewis in possession, but sending his effort narrowly wide.
With the game well into the final ten minutes and Ball’s charges more than entitled to settle for what their hard work had earned, Dennis settled the matter impressively.
On both occasions, it was another replacement, Lo-Everton, that provided the assists, further highlighting how strong United’s matchday squad has suddenly become.
Twice Dennis held off challenges before firing home clinically, leaving the hosts to ponder what might have been.
There’s still work to done – beginning with Bath on Bank Holiday Monday – but the prize of promotion is still there for the taking.
WESTON: 1. Max Harris, 2. Michael Smith (22. George Robesten, 80′), 4. Jacob Jagger Cane (12. Scot Bennett, 67′), 6. Sam Avery, 7. Luke Coulson, 8. Leo Pecover (10. Ollie Dewsbury, 67′) , 9. Louis Britton, 11. Will Dawes, 15. Emlyn Lewis (c), 16. Luke Spokes (19. Tommy Backwell, 38′), 20. Callum Wood (14. Jason Pope, 49′).
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Ricardo Thompson, 23. Calum Hewlett.
Yellow Card: Britton 28′, Jagger Cane 65′, Coulson 65′, Dewsbury 69′, Bennett 89′, Lewis 90+5′
UNITED: 15. Seb Stacey, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 5. Sam Dreyer, 8. Jordan Young (24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 74′), 10. Callum Dolan (11. Dylan Morgan, 55′), 18. Matt Worthington (c), 19. Deon Moore (16. Ed Palmer, 87′), 20. Dan Hayfield, 22. Reece Evans (7. Louis Dennis, HT), 28. Will Tizzard (26. Jordan Thomas, 90+3′).
SUBS NOT USED: 1. James Hamon (GK), 27. Matt Jay.
Yellow Card: Morgan 57′, Moore 73′, Dennis 80′
