BLANDFORD & STURMINSTER 2 WEYMOUTH 9

BROTHERS Luke and Sam Drewitt starred for Weymouth, each scoring three goals much to the delight of their mother and the club’s ladies’ striker Linda, who also scored in her match against Bournemouth.

Following a disappointing loss to Havant a week previously, Weymouth were eager to put things right with a good performance, although this result will not stand as strugglers Blandford & Sturminster have now withdrawn from the league.

Early pressure from a well-rehearsed press and a return to the fast free-flowing attacking play, the Seasiders are renowned for, meant it was not long until they took the lead.

Roland Gill, making his first appearance for the first team this season, played a long ball down the left flank to set forward Chris Fry free.

While Fry’s shot was good enough to beat the keeper it hit a post. Fortunately Steven Membury was on hand to put Weymouth 1-0 up from the rebound.

Midfielder Membury was pivotal in Weymouth’s next goal, this time splitting the Blandford backline with a fantastic through ball and picking out Luke Drewitt, who notched his first of the game.

Although unable to make the start of the game due to transport problems, Patrick May was able to make an immediate impact when he eventually entered the game.

His first-time pass located Sam Drewitt in the Blandford circle, who coolly slotted home.

While Luke Drewitt added another from a penalty corner, Weymouth were disappointed to concede from a penalty corner shortly after.

Keeper David Civil was beaten by the initial shot although it was a controversial decision based on the height of the ball. It was also the last action of the first half.

However, Blandford’s goal had no effect on Weymouth’s momentum and they soon scored to extend their lead to 5-1.

Picking the ball up in his own half, skipper Simon Harvey blazed past an opponent before combining with May.

May was again the provider, this time for Sam Bell who deflected past the hapless keeper.

Luke Drewitt added Wey-mouth’s sixth and completed his hat-trick with a deft touch from close range.

Much to Weymouth’s annoyance, they again conceded from a penalty corner. Despite this, the game was beyond Blandford’s reach and the circumstances allowed Harvey to experiment with changes to the line-up.

The goals continued to come and the seventh was exquisite. Matt Lawes followed a surging run with a fine long ball to Sam Drewitt. The latter, with his back to goal, nonchalantly deflected the pass first time over the rushing keeper.

He then followed this up with his third of the game with a powerful strike to the bottom corner.

May added to his assists by scoring his first and Weymouth’s last to make the score 9-2.

Finding himself near to the baseline, but in Blandford’s circle, he shaped to pass across the face of the goal but at the last second deceptively flicked his wrists to propel the ball past the keeper.

Weymouth will look to build on this performance this Saturday when they face Portsmouth University at home.

Goals: Membury, L Drewitt (3), S Drewitt, Bell, May. Man of the Match: Sam Drewitt