Opposition Lowdown by Jack Foulger
Following Monday’s 4-1 victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough, the Stones made it three wins on the bounce for the first time this season, but this Saturday, they start September with a stern home test against Somerset side Weston-super-Mare.
HISTORY
Initially formed in 1887 by players of Weston Aircraft, the early history of the Seagulls was very much fragmented with several decades spent across the Western and Bristol Leagues disrupted by both World Wars, causing the club to grind to a halt on multiple occasions. However, 1948 would see them take flight once again for the long haul, with the club enjoying an uninterrupted spell throughout the non-league ladder ever since.
Five and a half decades of progress through the Western and Southern Leagues would eventually culminate in the seaside club securing a place in the inaugural Conference South lineup, following a restructuring of the pyramid in 2004. 15 years at Step 2 would follow before eventually coming to an end in 2019 as Weston finished at the foot of the table with just 35 points.
Fortunately for the Seagulls, just two full seasons would pass before they returned to the NL South with their 2022/23 title triumph seeing them secure automatic promotion from Step 3.
Since then, their on-field progress has only advanced further with Weston achieving notable FA Cup runs in consecutive seasons including an appearance in last season’s Third Round proper away to Grimsby Town. 2025/26 also saw the Seagulls secure a NLS play-off place for the first time ever, defeating Hemel Hempstead Town in the eliminator before eventually bowing out to eventual winners Hornchurch in the semi-final.
THE SQUAD
Following their success in both league and cup last campaign, the vast majority of Weston’s previous squad opted to put pen to paper once again this season and remain on the Somerset coast. Notable returnees include striker Louis Britton, whose 19 goals last campaign saw him become the fourth highest scorer in the division. Meanwhile, club legend and captain Sam Avery also continues his six-year long affiliation with the Seagulls having featured over 200 times for the club since joining from Gloucester City.
Of those recently joining, experienced midfielder Liam Sercombe makes the move south from Forest Green Rovers, having previously spent 16 years plying his trade in the Football League. Former Torquay and Bath striker Brad Ash also arrives at the Optima Stadium having been a mainstay at NL South level since the pandemic, netting over 50 times in that period.
THE GAFFER
Former Tiverton Town boss Scott Rogers enters his first full season at the helm following his promotion from assistant manager last campaign when then-gaffer Scott Bartlett stepped down to join Eastleigh. Since then, he’s been able to build on the success of his predecessor, pioneering the Seagulls’ cup and play-off runs as his initial caretaker role was upgraded to a manager role on a contracted basis.
Prior to coaching, Rogers spent an illustrious 27-year playing career across the south-western non-league circuit including spells at Weston-super-Mare, Bath City and Newport County which saw him rack up over 350 appearances.
FORM
Scott Rogers’ side travel to the county town this weekend sat just two places behind their hosts, having taken 11 points from a possible 18 so far. Since kicking off the season with consecutive 3-0 wins on home turf, recent results have been a mixed bag consisting of a win, a defeat and two draws. Most recently, the August Bank Holiday saw Mark Cooper’s new-look Chelmsford City visit the seaside town where a 60th minute opener from substitute Louie Derrick was cancelled out by a quick-fire response from Clarets striker George Alexander, denying the Seagulls two valuable points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In recent seasons, fixtures against Weston have arguably been a nightmare at times for the Stones with three defeats in their previous four meetings alongside an aggregate scoreline of 8-2 in favour of the Somerset side. Despite that, goals from Muhammadu Faal and Jamie Yila were enough to see Maidstone prevail 2-1 the last time they faced the Seagulls back in March, a match that unfortunately saw the former’s second spell at ME14 brought to an abrupt end following an ACL injury shortly after his goal.
THE STADIUM
Weston play their home matches at the Optima Stadium, located around a mile and a half from the neighbouring town centre. Boasting a total capacity of 3,500, the ground’s main attraction arguably lies at the north side of the pitch with a towering covered stand offering a panoramic view of games for both standing and seated spectators whilst accounting for around half of the stadium’s total viewing space.
Other points of interest elsewhere include a spacious clubhouse building featuring a bar and hospitality setting for both sets of supporters (when unsegregated) with smaller alternative covered terracing also dotted elsewhere around the pitch.
Mo Faal scoring in last year’s 2-1 win over Weston, sadly just before his season-ending injury. Picture by @acerhelen
