The points were shared for all of Dorset’s clubs on Saturday on a day of tight and hard fought contests.
Weymouth earned their point in dramatic style – leaving it late to snatch a share of the spoils at fellow promotion candidates Leamington.
The Terras made a slow start, and fell behind on 19 minutes after a defensive lapse allowed Ahmed Obeng to burst forward before skipping past his man to tee up Ryan Lowe who rifled the ball into the top corner of the net to give the hosts the lead.
Minutes later Dan Thomas was on hand to make a good save from Obeng, as the hosts controlled proceedings in the first half. On 35 minutes they should have doubled their lead when Ryan Lowe hit the bar following some neat build up play.
Weymouth needed to improve in the second half, and whatever was said in the dressing room during the interval clearly had the desired effect, as the Terras came out all guns blazing.
He let fly from the edge of the area and was denied by a stunning diving save from Leamington goalkeeper Tony Breedon.
Aaron Rodgriguez then fired wide before Calvin Brooks saw his goal bound header stabbed off the line, as the Terras began to take control.
But despite their constant second half pressure the Terras remained frustrated, and going into the final few minutes they still trailed.
But in the last minute of normal time – Calvin Brooks surged forwards and was hauled down inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Despite missing a spot kick in the week against Paulton, Charlie Davis held his nerve and smashed the ball home into the top corner to snatch his side a share of the spoils.
Leamington had a late chance to nick the points, but some heroic last ditch defending ensured the Terras returned home with a point in the bag – a result which they surely would have taken at the start of the day.
Their ridgeway rivals Dorchester also shared the points, but they were left frustrated as they failed to break down ten man Stratford at the Avenue.
The Magpies made a bright start, but took the lead in rather fortuitous circumstances on the quarter hour mark. Mario Mateus found player-manager Mark Jermyn on the wing. He sent in a cross which was aimed for Walker, but instead his cross floated over the keeper and bounced off the far post and into the net.
But the celebrations had barely died down, when just a minute later the Magpies’ defensive frailties cost them again, as a mistake from Walker allowed Ahenkorah to sweep the ball up and fire home to haul the visitors level.
And just minutes later things got even worse for the Magpies, as they failed to clear their lines from a free-kick, Sheldon fired home on the half volley from the edge of the box to give Stratford the lead.
In an entertaining first half, the hosts were then given a way back into the game ten minutes before the break when Angus appeared to kick out at Jermyn, and following a bit of a melee the Stratford man was shown a straight red card.
The visitors held their lead into half time, but just two minutes into the second half the lead was wiped out, when Mateus’s cross found Tony Lee who saw his shot blocked by a defender, but it fell to Chris Dillon who made no mistake from close range.
Despite their numerical disadvantage Stratford came closest to finding the next goal when Daniel Summerfield hit the crossbar.
The hosts huffed and puffed but despite controlling possession, struggled to create any clear cut chances to win the game. The closest they came was ten minutes from time when Cooper pulled off a stunning save to deny Neil Martin, and the visitors held on to earn a share of the spoils. Frustration for the Magpies, who remain without a win on home soil since February.
In the National League South, Poole bounced back from their midweek hammering at St Albans with a 1-1 draw at home to Eastbourne Borough. The Dolphins went ahead on 32 minutes through Luke Roberts, before the visitors restored parity just eight minutes later.
It was the same scoreline for Wimborne Town, who left it late to earn a point at Slimbridge. They fell behind five minutes before half time, but Luke Holmes was on hand to earn the Magpies a point ten minutes from time, and keep them fourth in the table.
Portland United have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks and suffered a heavy defeat at Bashley last weekend. They put in a much stronger showing on Saturday but it wasn’t enough as they went out of the FA Vase 2-1 at Moneyfields.
It’s a similar story for Weymouth Reserves, who suffered a couple of heavy defeats on home soil. On Wednesday night they suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to Wessex Premier high flyers Brockenhurst in the wessex league cup, before going down by the same scoreline to Baffins Milton Rovers in the league on Saturday.
The Terras reserves will be hoping for an improvement on Saturday when they travel to Romsey Town. Portland United will be hoping to get back on track on Wednesday night when they travel to Andover New Street.
Poole make the long trip to Truro on Tuesday night before hosting Welling on Saturday. Wimborne have the week off, whilst Dorchester travel to Frome on Wednesday night before a free weekend following their early exit from the FA Cup.
The big game is at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Tuesday night, as Weymouth welcome high flying Slough to town. The Rebels currently sit second, and will no doubt arrive in confident mood having hit Redditch for four on Saturday. The Terras will need to be on top form if they are to get a positive result.
James Spring
