New signee Dylan Morgan took no time at all to get used to life at The Optima Stadium as he scored five minutes into his Weston AFC career, putting his side ahead at the start of a 3-2 win over Hornchurch FC.
Morgan had his loan spell signing from Yeovil announced just yesterday as the solution to the problem of an injured James Waite but there was no sign of nerves as he calmly slotted home from the edge of the box just five minutes into the game to give himself and The Seagulls a stellar start.
An own goal and Brandon Bak, another summer signing, gave Weston three goals before half time whistle whilst Hornchurch managed to get one of their own back through Nash in that time, sending the teams into the changing rooms with Weston 3-1 up.
Hornchurch’s Scannel made it 3-2 on the 72nd minute with a thunderous strike into the top of Will Buse’s net but that would be all they could muster despite in their attempted comeback as Weston walked away winners for their fourth successive league match.
The fixture had started evenly between the sides, with both teams enjoying a couple of half attempts on goal, but after 21-year-old Morgan passed the ball into the bottom right of the goal from 18 yards after a challenge on Ollie Chamberlain in the fifth minute Weston started to play their football.
Quick passing and great off ball movement helped maintain possession and push Hornchurch back into their own half and on the 14th minute that pressure helped produce a corner from which captain Emlyn Lewis was able to win a header from a brilliant Luke Coulson delivery.
Lewis’ header was fired at the Hornchurch goalkeeper who made the initial save but after bouncing around in the six-yard box the ball found its way into the net off a Hornchurch defender for an own goal.
At 2-0 Weston looked to be coasting as they continued to enjoy possession until the visitors caught them on a counter, the Hornchurch attack bursting down The Seagulls’ left side before delivery cross that was converted by Nash for 2-1 in the 35th minute.
The goal against the run of spurred Weston however as they replied instantly, Coulson playing provider once again as he burst down the wing before delivering a ball to the feet of Bak who was waiting menacingly six yards out from goal. 3-1 Weston.
The teams went in at half time with the home team on top but the second half would prove different.
Hornchurch returned more energetic and more positive, their midfield played quicker and their strikers made more runs, putting pressure on the Weston defence.
Scott Bartlett’s men, however, looked relatively comfortable at the back and coped with the onslaught despite conceding to another back post cross in the 72nd minute.
After Scannel made it 3-2 Weston sat back and played sensibly, making sure to take no unnecessary chances as they marched on their fourth win in a row for the season.
The Seagulls now go on to face Slough Town FC on Tuesday September 3rd, a team who currently sit top of the league and are on their own four game unbeaten run.
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