Weston athletic recorded an important 5 - 3 away win in the north Gloucestershire division 2 at Harrow Hill on Saturday, while two of their nearest challengers for the league dropped points.

Prolific striker Eli Wooding scored four of the goals, during which he scored his one hundredth goal for the club in only his 35th game, with Wes Downing scoring the other goal.

Weston started the game well with the front four of Nicholls, Wooding, Downing and Walker causing all sorts of problems for the home defence. Time and time again they created chances, but a mix of good goalkeeping and poor finishing meant the scores stayed level until Bray played a delightful ball out to Downing, who cut inside to shot from the edge of the box. Although the keeper made a smart save at first, Downing finished the second attempt into an empty net to put Weston one up.

Although the home side put Weston under pressure for the remainder of the first half they could not find a way past Parry. It remained one nil to Weston at half time.

The home side obviously had a stern talking to at half time and came out much stronger in the second half and their pace up front started to cause Weston problems. After 55 minutes and a defensive error by Aston, the home side drew level. Almost immediately Weston were awarded a penalty when Downing was tripped in the box. Wooding stepped up only to see his penalty saved.

However within five minutes Weston were back in the lead when Walker went past three players in the box and chipped the ball to the back, for Wooding to score well over this shoulder to put Weston 2 - 1. Weston then seemed to find their stride again and were quickly two goals up, when Wooding added his second of the game when played through by Nicholls.

At this stage Weston were coasting but after 70 minutes to every one's surprise the referee awarded the home side a penalty after an apparent hand ball. The striker kept his cool to put Harrow Hill back in the game at 3 - 2. Credit must go to Weston who did not let the penalty affect their concentration and soon restored their two goal lead.

Substitute Husbands chipped the ball over the home defence to Wooding who finished well across the keeper to score this hat trick. Wooding had not finished scoring yet when he was played in one on one from a brilliant ball by Bray, to once again finish well to out Weston 5 - 2 up. The home side scored a consolation goal with five minutes to go.

Weston saw out the remaining part of the game with no trouble even if they did have to survive with ten men when Kittner was harshly shown a second yellow card. With results going their way this could prove to be one of the most valuable three points of the season for Weston.

T R Yates man of the match – Dave Nicholls. This week Weston travel to face Woolaston with kick off at 2.30pm