Bartlett Adds Two to Weston Group

Pitching In Southern Premier Division South club Weston-super-Mare had two new signings on the bench in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Swindon Supermarine.

Defender Nat Williams has returned to The Optima Stadium on a permanent basis after a loan spell during the previous campaign.

The 20-year-old spent three months on loan from Championship side Bristol City in the 2021/22 campaign, making 12 appearances and assisting one goal during his time on loan to the Seagulls.

The left-footed defender was released by his home-town club last summer – where he had been since the age of 8 - and now returns to the club where he gained his first experience of senior football.

Manager Scott Bartlett told https://www.westonsmareafc.co.uk: “Nat is well known to us after his spell last season, and we are happy to have him back.

“He has a lot of good attributes and with so many games coming up, it was too good an opportunity not to strengthen defensively.

“The lads have been brilliant but with Kieran Thomas back in full training and Nat re-joining, which gives us a solid base and a bit more depth.”

Bartlett has also signed forward Olly Mehew from league rivals Tiverton Town.

The 25-year-old follows in his father David’s footsteps as he had a spell with Weston during his lengthy career as a forward, most notably with Bristol Rovers, for whom he made 222 appearances and scored 63 goals.

Olly had signed for Tiverton in October 2022 from another league rival, Yate Town.

He arrived at Lodge Road in July 2018 after being released by Forest Green Rovers at the end of the previous season.

He was a scholar at Blackburn Rovers before joining Bristol Rovers and has previously appeared on loan for a variety of non-League clubs including Mangotsfield United, Cirencester Town, Bideford, Salisbury, Evesham United, Taunton Town and Dorchester Town.

He moved to Southern Division One South side Bristol Manor Farm in late November 2019 but then returned to Yate in the summer of 2020.

Bartlett added: “Olly is one I know really well and has been a target of ours for a while.

“Circumstances have worked against us in the past when discussing a possible move, but things worked out this time.

“Olly knows we have quality in forward areas but was willing to come in and work hard with the group.

“He can occupy any of the front four positions for us so gives us a good option to change things if we see fit.

“I’d like to thank the board for allowing us to strengthen the squad at this time, and also thank Scott and Martyn Rogers for their help with Olly’s transfer”.

Weston-super-Mare Web Site