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Tuesday, February 11, 2025
HomeDorset EastTerras & Dolphins win but Dorchester suffer humiliation

Terras & Dolphins win but Dorchester suffer humiliation

Dorset’s top three non league sides where all at home in the FA Trophy at the weekend, and both Weymouth and Poole Town made it through to the 2nd qualifying round with wins over Shortwood United and North Leigh respectively.

At the Bob Lucas Stadium it was an understandably jaded performance from the Terras following their midweek FA Cup exploits, and the visitors played their part in a hard fought encounter.

Shortwood came into the game having suffered just two defeats in the league all season, and held their own for large spells of the game.

The game kicked off, and after 45 minutes of not very much happening, the referee put us all out of our misery by blowing for half time. The only real effort of note had come right on the stroke of half time when Calvin Brooks had a header from a corner, which had Shortwood’s keeper scrambling across his goal, but no doubt breathing a sigh of relief as the ball drifted just wide of the far post.

The second half was a little bit more exciting (and I use the term exciting very loosly). Weymouth finally made a breakthrough right on the hour mark, from a rare moment of quality.
Some superb build up play from Weymouth eventually led to Adam Kelly pulling the ball back for Stewart Yetton to fire home from the edge of the 6 yard box, to lift the tension around the ground.

From that point on, Weymouth began to play with a bit more flair. New loan signing from Aldershot Tristian Plummer was introduced to the action, and he provided that spark which had been missing for large parts of the game.

He showed great tenacity, was not afraid to take on defenders, had pace and strength, held the ball up well, and created some good chances for the Terras to double their lead which they couldn’t quite take.

Thankfully, Shortwood never really looked like getting back on level terms. Although 2-0 would probably have flattered Weymouth, Jason Matthews never had a real save to make. Shortwood battled well and kept the ball well at times, but they were severely lacking in the final third. Although some credit for that must go to the Terras defence, which despite being pretty tired after the two Braintree games, didn’t put a foot wrong.

Poole Town also progressed against south & west division opposition with a 3-1 victory at home to North Leigh. Their passage however was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

North Leigh started the game the brighter of the two sides – forcing keeper Nick Hutchings into a couple of great saves and hitting the post, but it was the Dolphins who struck first after twenty minutes when Luke Roberts scored from Luke Burbridge’s corner.

North Leigh finally got on the score sheet five minutes before half time through Keiran Sanders.

Maloney put Poole back in front from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half before Mark Jermyn finished off a neat passing move with a third goal on 67 minutes.

Maloney then had another chance from the spot late in the game but this time his spot kick was saved. Poole had done enough though, and they join Weymouth in the 2nd qualifying round.

Whilst Weymouth and Poole saw off south & west division opposition, Dorchester suffered a surprise defeat at home to similar opposition in the battle of the Magpies against Wimborne Town.

Matt Kemble put Wimborne ahead from Mark Gamble’s cross after just 20 minutes, and that was the way it stayed at the break. The county town outfit looking worryingly toothless against their lower division opponents.

The second half carried on in much the same way, and Wimborne’s front pairing combined again to double the lead just before the hour mark – this time Kemble laying on the chance for Gamble.

Manager Graham Kemp made a couple of attacking changes, and within four minutes Dorchester were given hope when Nathan Walker headed home Andy Robinson’s free kick,

Dorchester huffed and puffed but just couldn’t force an equaliser, and six minutes from time Mark Gamble got his second of the day to secure Wimborne’s passage to the second qualifying round.

A crushing defeat for Dorchester, and manager Graham Kemp was left far from happy – criticising his sides apparent lack of desire and fight.

Dorchester will need to find just that ahead of Tuesday’s nights long away trip to basement boys Histon.

A fortnight ago Dorchester would have looked at this as being a game they should win comfortably. But after taking just 6 points from their first 14 games, Histon have suddenly found some form – winning their last four games in all competitions and scoring 11 goals in the process. Dorchester will need to be up for the fight, and the shakey defence will need to be on it’s guard.

Wimborne’s reward for the upset at the Avenue is a home tie against Division One Central side Northwood, whilst Weymouth were given a home tie against fellow southern league side Burnham who won their replay at Hitchin on Monday night. That means Weymouth will host Burnham on Saturday the 15th, before travelling to Burnham in the league seven days later.

Meanwhile Poole Town have been drawn away to either Biggleswade Town or Brentwood Town, depending on who wins the replay at Biggleswade on Wednesday night.

In the meantime, Weymouth will get a chance to give a few big players a much needed rest when they welcome Cranborne to the Bob Lucas Stadium in the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday night. In truth it’s a competition Weymouth could do without, but it will give boss Jason Matthews a chance to give a few fringe players a run out.

They then travel to Hitchin Town in the league on Saturday, whilst Poole Town will host relegation threatened Burnham at Tatnam. Dorchester will have yet another home game, this time against Biggleswade Town.

James Spring

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