Seagulls do themselves proud despite cup defeat
Weston-super-Mare Wrexham
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ESTON’S players were able to leave the pitch with their heads held high despite a 2-0 defeat against the National League leaders in the first round of the FA Cup.
An early volley by Luke Summerfield from 25 yards failed to trouble home goalkeeper Luke Purnell, but Weston’s afternoon took a turn for the worse when attacking midfielder Jarrad Welch suffered what appeared to be a knee injury and had to be substituted after only 12 minutes.
Wrexham took the lead six minutes into the second half when Summerfield was slipped in down the left-hand side of the box, and his driven effort beat Purnell for pace and nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
With their tails up, Wrexham pressed for a second goal, but Summerfield’s side-footed effort from outside the area was gathered easily by Purnell. Weston came close when Gethyn Hill’s curling effort was awkwardly punched away by Rob Lainton. Ben Swallow collected the loose ball, but drove wide of the goalkeeper’s near post.
Alex Byrne missed a golden chance to equalise. George Nurse’s driven cross was met by Byrne six yards out, but the midfielder headed over, leaving many Weston supporters behind the goal in disbelief that they weren’t level.
Wrexham wrapped up victory nine minutes from time after hitting the Seagulls on the counter. Stuart Beavon saw his first shot pushed away by Purnell, but the experienced forward flashed home the rebound first time on the volley.
Wrexham boss Sam Ricketts said: “We made hard work of it, but the important thing is through to the next round.
“We’ve been the side playing the higher-division team before and you put in your best performance. They worked incredibly hard and moved the ball really well and it took a long time for us to break that down and break their spirit.” we’re