Weymouth got back to winning ways on Saturday with a hard fought 1-0 victory at relegation threatened Arlesey Town.
Given their recent form on the road, and the fact they were missing both Chris McPhee and Jason Matthews through injury, many fans wrote off the Terras before the game, but they displayed the grit and determination which carried them to the top of the table at New Year, and picked up a priceless away win.
The day before the game, the Terras had brought in young Bristol City goalkeeper Joe Walcott on loan as cover for Matthews, and he made a nervous start – scuffing a clearance to Arlesey’s Christian Taverner, but his effort failed to trouble the young keeper, who gradually grew into the game the longer it went on.
Adam Kelly stung the home keepers hands from range, before Neil Martin volleyed narrowly wide, as the Terras looked to pick up their first points on the road since Boxing Day.
They continued to probe at the start of the second half, with Kelly again going close from range, before the all important goal arrived on 55 minutes in somewhat fortunate circumstances.
Yetton put a cross into the area and the Arlesey keeper could only tip the goal bound cross onto the crossbar, before watching the ball bounce over the line into the net. Finally, the Terras had the lead, and had some some long overdue luck.
Weymouth failed to double their lead, and they had to hold out through a nervy final ten minutes as the hosts threw the kitchen sink at them.
After his nervy start, it was the young goalkeeper Walcott who proved to be the hero – making two outstanding saves in quick succession from point blank range in injury time, before the hosts had a goal ruled out for offside with virtually the last kick of the game.
The full time whistle was greeted with shear relief among those in claret and blue. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but this was exactly the type of result many fans had wanted to see after the recent run. A hard fought, scrappy 1-0 win with a slightly lucky goal. The Terras will take it however it comes, and with all of their promotion chasing rivals winning, it proved crucial as the Terras didn’t lose any ground.
The league leaders Poole Town were comfortable 2-0 winners away to Dunstable Town.
Two goals from Lurk Burbridge midway through the first half were enough for the Dolphins, who unlike Weymouth managed to play out the second half against Dunstable fairly comfortably, to remain two points clear of second placed Corby Town.
Meanwhile Dorchester Town suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat at home to play-off chasing Redditch United.
In truth it was a rather lackluster affair at the Avenue, with the fans having very little to get excited about.
Ultimately the game was settled by a moment of magic from United’s Ashley Sammons on the half hour mark.
He picked up the ball around 35 yards from goal and unleashed an absolute rocket of a strike into the top right corner of the net, leaving Walker-Harris to just stand and watch. It was a strike worthy of winning any game of football at any level, and the visitors held on to secure a crucial three points, much to the enjoyment of the travelling Redditch under 18s massive, who even set off a flare late in the day as all six of them bounced about on the terrace in a fashion similar to what you might expect to see in the Polish leagues. Except these lot looked a bit ridiculous in their full Stone Island and Burberry outfits, even though none of them looked old enough to buy a pint.
Still, whatever floats your boat chaps.
The defeat didn’t do Dorchester any damage, with all of the sides around them also suffering defeats.
Next Saturday they are again at home, when they welcome Frome Town to the Avenue stadium.
The two sides met in Somerset only a few weeks ago in what was at the time a real relegation six pointer, but since then both sides have managed to put a good run together, and they sit 8 and 10 points above the relegation zone respectively.
Meanwhile Weymouth will face a difficult trip to Paulton Rovers. Rovers are the division’s form side, but they did suffer their first defeat since New Year’s Day at Cambridge City on Saturday, so it might be a good time for Weymouth to be playing them. Mind you, you can never tell what you’ll get with Weymouth at the minute.
There’s no such luxury as a midweek break for Poole Town. On Wednesday night they make the long trip up to Corby for the first leg of the Red Insure Cup Final, after Corby saw off Egham Town in the semi finals.
It’s probably a game the Dolphins could do without given that they already have a hectic league schedule, but they’re in the final now, and the chance to complete another league & cup double won’t be something they’ll be turning their noses up at.
James Spring
