Weston Athletic continued their fine recent form, in the North Gloucestershire Division 2, on Saturday when they travelled away to face Westbury United and beat them 4 – 2, with top goal scorer Eli Wooding scoring a quite brilliant hat trick and Wes Downing adding the other.

Managers Paul Burnham and Dan Morris made two changes to the starting 11 from last week's comprehensive victory over Redmarley, with Shaun Aston and Chalky Robertshaw dropping to the bench with Luke Beard and Alec Malsom coming back in after missing out last week.

Weston started dreadfully and were immediately put under pressure from a home side who started playing some really nice football, it was no surprise when Westbury took the lead after only five minutes, some slack marking allowed the winger to cross the ball to the home sides striker to finish from six yards out. Weston were continued to be put under pressure for the next ten minutes and could have found themselves further behind, but they dug in and started to get a foot hold in the game.

After 20 minutes Weston were back level, after a strong run through the middle by the impressive Lee Walker, he passed the ball to Eli Wooding who had only one thing on his mind and smashed the ball into the top corner from 30 yards for a stunning goal. It was an impressive goal but better was to follow only five minutes later, a clearance from the home sides goal keeper fell to Wooding who was fully 40 yards out, without hesitation Wooding volleyed the ball over the keeper's head for a goal of the season contender. The kick fire double seemed to settle Weston down and they started playing the sort of football they have been enjoying over the last few weeks, in particular the front four of Wooding, Wes Downing, Lee Walker and Jack Bray were causing the home side all sorts of problems.

It was no surprise when Weston scored a third after 35 minutes, Keeper Morris, rolled the ball out to Alex Malsom, who played a delightful ball to Wooding, who attacked the home sides left back and whipped in an inch perfect pass for Downing to head home to make it 3 – 1 at half time.

Weston were forced into a change at half time when Steve Kittner had to come off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Chalky Robertshaw, however this did not seem to affect Weston and they continued to dictate play and create chance after chance, in particular Downing and Walker both going close, it was Wooding who stole the show again on 65 minutes when he completed a stunning hat trick with a 25 yard free kick into the top corner to put Weston 4 – 1 up. Credit must go to the home side as they never gave up and scored a consolation goal with five minutes to go, but Weston saw out the remainder of the game to record a 4 – 2 victory. There was further good news for Weston after the game when it was found out league leaders Lydney lost, Weston are now ten points but have three games in hand.

T R Yates Man of the Match – Eli Wooding – A brilliant hat trick. Weston's next game is away to Woolaston on new Years Eve with kick off at 2.30pm.