Goals from three products of City’s Academy sealed victory at Weston’s Springfield Park on Saturday with Michael Gash, Robbie and Josh Simpson all getting on the scoresheet, producing City’s first double of the season in the process.

Looking to build on the win over local rivals Histon on Holiday Monday, City were forced into one change from the side fielded that day, with Mark Molesley coming in to replace an unwell Lee Flynn. Weston on the other hand were unchanged from their last outing that saw them defeat Newport County and extend their unbeaten run to four games, including three victories.

Playmaker - Greg Lincoln takes on Weston's Lewis Hogg

The first half was a largely uninspiring affair with City seemingly unable to make the most of some promising approach play. On a number of occasions they produced some nice football to get in behind the Weston defence but failed to produce a telling final ball.

At the other end, Glen Fuff, Matt Langston and Co looked solid and restricted Weston to trying their luck with shots from distance, but Danny Naisbitt in the City goal was not seriously tested. Marvin Brown was miles off the mark with his effort after three minutes. Jon French did a little better seven minutes later as his drive, following a run from the halfway line, dipped just over the angle of post and crossbar.

Soon after, Craig Pope, who was getting forward at every opportunity, forced Weston’s Ryan Northmore to get down smartly to gather his daisycutter. City kept the pressure on and Dale Binns failed to pick out an unmarked Paul Booth as he elected to drive his centre in when maybe a floated effort would have been more effective.

Craig Rand was next to try from way out for the home side but he ballooned the ball way over the bar, then Robbie Simpson looked to have released Booth but he was thwarted by the linesman’s flag.

Things didn’t get any better as time passed by. Lee Jarman smacked a free-kick from 35 yards a couple of feet over the bar, Mark Molesley ended a distinctive marauding run with an wayward shot and Booth blasted high when well placed as the half drew to a close.

Back in action - City's Mark Molesley

City should have gone in front within two minutes of the restart but found Northmore in good form. Booth profited from a Molesley run to drill in a low near-post shot that the keeper did superbly well to block, Weston only partially cleared and Fuff let fly with a dipping and swerving piledriver that Northmore grabbed at the second attempt.

City were looking far more effective than in the first period and threatened again as Greg Lincoln evaded three defenders before finding Binns who’s drive would have forced Northmore into more decisive action had the pace not been taken off the ball by a deflection.

Weston’s best moment of the game came after 66 minutes. The ball was worked out to the flank from where Scott Walker produced a measured cross and Brown planted a bullet header at goal that was well dealt with by Naisbitt, turning it over his crossbar. City hit back immediately with Lincoln picking out Pope’s run, the City full-back drilling in a low cross that was almost turned into his own net by Jarman had it not been for a reaction save from Northmore. From the resulting corner, Booth leapt like a salmon at the far post to meet Lincoln’s centre but Northmore again came to Weston’s rescue, as he turned away the former Welling man’s powerful header.

That was to be Booth’s final contribution as he was replaced with Michael Gash soon after.

Weston came close to taking the lead under bizarre circumstances after Lincoln had uncharacteristically given the ball way just inside the City half. Walker intercepted the former Chelmsford man’s attempted pass as Pope galloped up the flank and made good ground before whipping the ball in, however, it deflected off Langston and spun alarmingly towards goal, dropping just over the bar with Naisbitt stranded.

Ryan Northmore punches clear following a City corner

City made the most of this escape and took a deserved lead three minutes later. Gash, who had brought a good deal of strength and movement to the City forward line since his introduction, made a surging crossfield run, stretching the home defence as he went. His pass found Lincoln who clipped the ball inside to Robbie Simpson. Spinning off his marker, the striker stunned the home crowd with the sweetest of strikes from 18 yards that gave Northmore no chance.

Weston tried to hit back but failed to make any impression and City effectively put the game beyond them with a second goal three minutes later. Josh Simpson made a great run from deep and received a slide-rule through ball from his namesake Robbie and had no trouble slotting the ball past an advancing Northmore.

The result never looked in doubt from that point on and there was still enough time for Gash to round off his personal display with a goal of his own when he headed home substitute Craig Dobson’s whipped centre with only three minutes remaining.

Weston looked to have notched a consolation goal in the 89th minute when Brown nipped in behind Fuff after the defender had missed a long punt upfield. Rounding Naisbitt, the striker ran out of pitch and was unable to find anything other than the side netting from a tight angle. Not to be denied though, the home side eventually breached City’s otherwise solid defence when Chris Holland poked home a McKeever free-kick deep into injury time.