Weston-super-Mare vs Gloucester City

A cagey first half produced few clear-cut chances. Hemmings forced Weston goalkeeper Max Harris into an early save inside five minutes, collecting the game's first attempt on target. Liam Sercombe responded for the hosts, curling wide from the edge of the box after Weston worked an opening. Former Seagull James Waite, now with Gloucester, drilled a left-footed effort from the right channel that Harris held.

Ollie Hulbert came closest for Weston before the break, stretching to reach a deep Will Dawes cross at the back post. He connected with a toe-poke volley that deflected off Gloucester captain Keiran Thomas — himself a former Weston defender — and behind for a goal kick.

Half-time: Weston-super-Mare 0–0 Gloucester City

The deadlock broke seven minutes into the second half. Morgan Lewis cut inside from the left flank and threaded a defence-splitting through ball to Hemmings, who controlled inside the area and fired past Harris at his near post.

Weston pushed for an equaliser as the game opened up. Waite saw a deflected effort go narrowly wide, while Harris had to gather a low shot from Hemmings 20 yards out, but the hosts could not carve out a clear reply. Weston assistant manager Gary Warren later assessed the performance:

"We lacked a little bit of intensity."

Hemmings' strike in the 52nd minute — the game's only moment of sustained quality in the final third. Morgan Lewis' pass bisected the Weston back three, and the striker's composure to set himself and finish inside the near post separated two sides that had largely cancelled each other out until that point.

Ashley Hemmings (Gloucester City) — Scored the winner for the second consecutive friendly, having also netted from the penalty spot against Barry Town United the previous weekend. His movement in behind the Weston defence caused problems throughout.

Morgan Lewis (Gloucester City) — Provided the assist with an incisive pass from the left flank. His ability to drift inside created the space for the decisive moment.

Max Harris (Weston-super-Mare) — Made several solid saves to keep the scoreline respectable, with nothing he could do about the close-range winner.

Player of the Match: Ashley Hemmings

The match statistics were not formally published, but the pattern was clear: Gloucester created the clearer chances after the break, while Weston struggled to translate territory into shots on target. The Seagulls started with a back three featuring two trialists and had three Under-18 players — Dalton Ross, Faith Ikpeama and Josh Oliver — among the substitutes, indicating a squad still taking shape ahead of the league season.

This was the final pre-season friendly for both National League South sides. Weston-super-Mare now turn their attention to the league opener at home to Chesham United on 8 August 2026, where manager Scott Rogers will hope his new signings have integrated sufficiently.

Gloucester City also begin their Southern League Premier South campaign next, with a home fixture against Chertsey Town on 8 August 2026. The Tigers' perfect pre-season record — wins at Barry Town United and at Weston — offers momentum after last season's play-off final defeat to Farnham Town.

A typical end-of-pre-season affair: competitive without being frantic, settled by one sharp attacking moment. Weston will want sharper finishing and more intensity in the final third when the real business starts; Gloucester can take confidence from two clean-sheet wins and Hemmings' early scoring form.