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Monday, February 17, 2025
HomeDorset EastMoment of Molesley magic sends Terras through

Moment of Molesley magic sends Terras through

Weymouth came out on top in an entertaining clash with Poole in the second round of the Red Insure Cup last night.

As expected both sides made a number of changes to their sides, with only Adam Kelly and Ashley Wells keeping their places in the Weymouth team. Steve Boore took over in goal, whilst Mark Molesley continued his comeback from injury by captaining the side. Jordan Copp and youngster Aston Butcher also came in, along with George Rigg and Matt Buse, whilst Tim Sills was partnered up front by young Conor Jevon.

Poole also made a number of changes to their side – naming a similar side to that which comfortably saw off a strong Dorchester side in the first round of the competition.

Weymouth made the brighter start, and it was totally against the run of play that the Dolphins took the lead just ten minutes in when an inch perfect through ball caught Ashley Wells napping, and Emil Salama raced through and produced a cool finish past Boore.

However the lead was short lived. From the restart Weymouth won a free-kick which Rigg took quickly to Adam Kelly who was lurking on the edge of the box, and he produced a lovely curling effort into the top corner that goalkeeper Tom Reese could only stand and admire. 1-1 after just twelve minutes.

Weymouth were playing some excellent flowing attacking football, and had a number of chances to take the lead.

Ashley Wells went on a surging run and crossed to Rigg, but his effort lacked the power to trouble the goalkeeper.

Shortly afterwards Tim Sills flicked a header across the face of goal from a corner, before Mark Molesley danced his way past half of the Poole team but tried to beat one defender too many and it was scrambled clear.

Adam Kelly was then inches away from scoring yet another stunner when he attempted another curler from the edge of the box which bounced back off the crossbar. It fell back to Tim Sills, but somehow the big striker managed to head it across the face of goal from only a couple of yards out. A real let off for the Dolphins.

Poole were very much under the cosh, but in a rare foray forwards Toby Holmes went on a driving run before seeing his shot comfortably gathered by Boore.

Down the other end Tom Reese had to be on his toes to stop a stinging effort from Copp in what proved to be the last action of the first half.

Having spent most of the first half on the back foot, the Dolphins came out for the second half looking to take the game to Weymouth. They were keeping the ball and moving it around nicely, and Weymouth were indebted to goalkeeper Steve Boore when Salama outmuscled Copp on the edge of the area before seeing his shot turned behind for a corner.

A few minutes later most of the crowd thought Weymouth had been awarded a penalty when Adam Kelly was tripped seemingly inside the box by a defender. Both sets of players got ready for a penalty, but then to the bemusement of everybody the referee asked the ball to be placed on the edge of the box for a free-kick when it looked for all the world as though it was inside the area. Adam Kelly scuffed the free-kick well wide, and Poole broke straight down the other end and very nearly made the Terras pay for their missed chances.

But Steve Boore was really pushing his case in goal, and he pulled off a quite incredible double save – first denying Alan Connell, then showing outstanding reflexes to get up quickly to deny Jamie White on the rebound. A truly fantastic piece of goalkeeping.

And having done his bit for his side, Boore was to be repaid on the hour mark when Mark Molesley popped up with a moment of magic. Rigg was fouled on the edge of the area, and Molesley floated his free-kick perfectly over the wall and into the top left corner to give Weymouth the lead.

The drama didn’t end there. Just five minutes later the linesman flagged for a penalty for Poole when Copp fouled Salama inside the box. 

The Terras protested hard, and perhaps that coupled with Steve Boore’s best Bruce Grobbelaar impression had an effect – as the vastly experienced Alan Connell smashed his spot kick unbelievably high and wide. Words don’t do it justice, it was probably the worst penalty any of the 315 in attendance have ever seen!

Weymouth began to push for a killer third goal. Adam Kelly again tried his luck from outside the area and saw his effort palmed away by Reese. He then had another effort stopped by the keeper a few minutes later, but again Tim Sills put the rebound wide.

Poole were unable to fashion anymore chances – Boore commanding his backline brilliantly and claiming anything that came his way, as Weymouth progressed to the third round of the Red Insure Cup. It was a really entertaining game and those who went certainly got their money’s worth, although in truth Weymouth really should have won by a few more goals with the chances they created.

The competition won’t be top of their priorities list but Weymouth will be pleased with the performances of the youngsters who got their chance, and the more senior players returning from injury. Certainly a very encouraging night which shows just how much depth they have to their squad.

It’ll be interesting to see if any of them did enough to earn themselves a place in the team again on Saturday, when the Terras travel to Central division side Bedford Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

Bedford have had a mixed season so far and sit smack bang in mid-table in the league below. Weymouth will go there as heavy favourites but of course anything is possible in the cup, and they certainly won’t be taking Bedford lightly.

Dorchester are also in FA Trophy action, and they welcome Isthmian league side Kingstonian to the Avenue. Kingstonian have made a bright start to their season and sit just one point and one place outside the play-offs, so it promises to be a good battle between two play-off chasing sides. 

Poole are out of the Trophy so get the chance to focus in the league when they entertain Cambridge City on Saturday. City also sit smack bang in the middle of the table, but they managed to turn over league leaders Leamington on their own turf last time out, and they will go to Tatnam fancying their chances of picking up another good result.

James Spring

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