City recorded a first ever win over Weston to get their eagerly anticipated campaign off to the perfect start, but the 3-0 score line hardly reflects how tight this game was until a late double from Paul Booth and Robbie Simpson sealed the victory after Mark Molesley had given the hosts an early lead.

Despite retaining the majority of the squad who helped secure second place in Nationwide Conference South last season the Lilywhites handed full debuts to five players, goalkeeper Ricky Millard, defender Damien Jarrett, a midfield trio of Craig Dobson (signed yesterday from Lewes) Mark Molesley and Jamie Southon, together with striker Paul Booth.

New signing, Craig Dobson

The Seagulls have traditionally proved difficult opponents for the Lilywhites but have had an inconsistent pre-season disrupted by injuries to regular ‘keeper Ryan Northmore and new signing Jon Ashton in addition, Marc McGregor, scorer of both goals the last time the two sides met is no longer at the Woodspring Stadium.

The visitors started brightly on a dismal afternoon and Millard was forced into early action saving from Lewis Hogg who gathered a Chris Lewis pass, the former Barnet custodian blocking at the expense of a corner.

Any early nerves were settled in the sixth minute however. Dave Sadler fed Craig Dobson whose rising drive was diverted behind by Paul Thompson. From the resultant Dale Binns corner the ‘keeper palmed away but the ball fell invitingly for Mark Molesley whose lobbed effort cleared the advancing defenders and left Thompson stranded as it looped into the roof of the empty net with Sadler and Booth in close attendance.

Although City consolidated after the goal they were never able to gain full control and in difficult conditions Millard misjudged a skidding through ball which Matt Rawlings latched onto, fortunately for the hosts skipper Glen Fuff was on hand to cover and clear the danger.

Chris Lewis then combined with Scott Walker, the new arrival from Chippenham Town did well to hold off Craig Pope before firing low at Millard who saved well with an outstretched leg.

With a little under half an hour on the clock City spurned an excellent chance to double their advantage when Paul Booth freed strike partner Dave Sadler with a defence splitting pass. Running clear of the trailing Weston back line last season’s top scorer dragged his shot across Thompson but wide of the post.

The visitors made decent use of the flanks and Jon French delivered a good right wing cross for Lewis whose header had Millard scrambling to hold at the foot of the post.

Paul Booth then fired narrowly over when he capitalised on a partially cleared Damien Jarrett cross but it was the Seagulls who finished the half on top and should have had a goal to show for their endeavours when Matt Rawlings got free down the left and crossed for Lewis who found himself in space ten yards out, but the former Paulton Rovers striker failed to connect with his attempted header and the chance was gone.

Jamie Southon repels a Weston corner

Weston started the second half where they had left off in the first, carving out an early opportunity when Matt Rose flashed an effort wide of the post after good build up play down the right hand side.

Dave Sadler had the ball in the back of the net, heading home Jarrett’s cross after fifty minutes but he was flagged offside and this proved to be a brief respite for the hosts as Weston drove forward in search of an equaliser.

Neat footwork by Rawlings saw the former Yate striker beat Glen Fuff and deliver a near post cross for Lewis but his effort was forced behind for a corner.

The increasingly influential Hogg then made a powerful diagonal run onto Andy Robertson’s angled pass and unleashed a fierce volley which Millard saved superbly as he plunged to his left and deflected behind. The flag kick was only partially cleared and Lee Jarman fired the loose ball back towards goal only for Millard to come to the rescue again this time getting down low to his right.

Gary Roberts then made a double change which was ultimately to turn the tide in City’s favour. Dave Sadler and Damien Jarrett were replaced by Robbie Simpson and Steve Parmenter (a sixth debutant) respectively.

Millard was still much the busier of the two ‘keepers however and his timely intervention again preserved City’s lead when he got enough on Mark McKeever’s teasing cross to force Matt Rawlings header onto the woodwork.

With fifteen minutes remaining the impressive ‘keeper produced his best save of the afternoon. Matt Langston was penalised for a trip on Hogg right on the edge of the box in Weston’s inside right position. Scott Walker stepped up and curled a quality left footed effort around the wall. The ball appeared destined for the bottom corner of the net until Millard, whose view must have been obscured plunged across his goal line and pushed the shot away at full stretch.

As if inspired by the heroics of their ‘keeper City came back at the Seagulls. Neat approach play by Mark Molesley, who was again outstanding in midfield, set up Paul Booth in space on the edge of the box, however not to be outdone by his opposite number Thompson made an excellent reflex save of his own when the former Welling marksman looked favourite to open his Milton Road account.

City celebrate Paul Booth's debut goal

Robbie Simpson, who looked back at his sharpest after last season’s serious injury, combined with Dale Binns allowing the former Hendon wide man to bear down on goal. Thompson was off his line sharply forcing Binns wide but he managed to cross to the right of the box where Dobson raced in from the right and hit a thunderous volley which Thompson somehow finger-tipped over the bar. From Binns’ place kick Matt Langston rose at the near post a glanced a header goalwards only for substitute Darren Hawkins to head off the line.

In City’s next attack Binns fed Dobson again, showing good close control the winger beat McKeever and centred low to Simpson but Thompson was out bravely to smother at the feet of the teenage striker.

More good work by Binns on the left saw him keep the ball alive and find the space to deliver a telling cross despite the close attention of Hawkins. Paul Booth drifter off his marker but his downward header lacked the power to beat Thompson.

With four minutes remaining City’s pressure resulted in the crucial second goal. A flowing move involving Moseley and Simpson freed Paul Booth, this time the striker made no mistake, coolly rounding Thompson before firing into the empty net.

The clearly deflated visitors then gave the ball away straight from the restart, an error seized upon by the inspired Binns who raced down the flank and delivered early for Simpson to round of his comeback with a shot on the turn which beat the unfortunate Thompson.

At the other end there was still time for last minute heroics from Jamie Southon who threw himself into the path of Hogg’s drive from point blank range to preserve City’s clean sheet.

Whereas much of City’s pre-season has been about their flair, attacking quality and neat passing today they showed they can also battle for the points when the going gets tough, if they can produce all of these qualities consistently throughout the season then the Milton Road faithful have much to look forward to.