Weston Bears Football Club -

The Bears travelled to Belmont on an awful night to play Valentine on an awful pitch which made chasing 3 points an awfully difficult task.

The opening minutes saw Phoenix force Weston into some scrambling defence but it was Weston who countered quickly with Mick Ryan on the end of a fine move which saw him find the net giving the Bears a dream start.

The game continued at a frantic pace on the poor surface and it was the Bears who were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Valentine box only to see it lifted well over the bar.

While it was the Bears controlling the game Valentine did test Tim Pratt in the 20th minute forcing a fine save from the keeper.

The Phoenix were now upping the physicality and it was Jamie Subat who was fouled heavily on the edge of the Phoenix area. However the resulting free kick was struck straight at the keeper.

By the 35th minute it was Weston who were in control of the game with Valentine resorting to the long ball and rarely troubling the Bears defence.

A penalty claim from Valentine and another well worked move from Weston rounded out the half.

The second half saw Phoenix make all the running with the wind and now pouring rain at their backs.

Again, it was Valentine dishing out the industrial challenges and this time it was at Corey Fletchers expense. This saw him leave the game just 6 minutes into the second half and replaced by Rob Macbeth.

Weston, continuing to play the better football sent a great switch pass to find Rob Macbeth whose by-line cut back, while well met by Robbie Turnbull, sailed high over the bar.

Valentine with the ever increasing wind and sheets of rain at their backs were now working their way back into the game and it was a cut back delivered behind the Bears defence that was well put away by Alex Reid.

With Phoenix continuing to press Tim Pratt pulled off a top drawer save in the 75th min to keep Weston in the game.

The 80 minute mark saw a super move open up the Valentine defence with Jamie Subat on the end of it and just placing it wide.

Another opportunity soon after to Weston saw it, again, sail over.

This would prove to be the last opportunity in a game that was always going to be compromised by the weather and the state of the pitch and while a point was the outcome, the team must be commended on continuing to play a high quality of football.

Under 23s also had a draw 2-2, with the U19s rounding out the dreary day of draws with the same scoreline.