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Tuesday, February 11, 2025
HomeDorset EastTerras bow out of Trophy, Dolphins suffer setback & Magpies win away

Terras bow out of Trophy, Dolphins suffer setback & Magpies win away

Weymouth were left wondering what on earth they have to do to win a game, after they were knocked out of the FA Trophy at Hemel Hempstead despite dominating proceedings against their higher league opponents.

Last time Weymouth played Hemel they found themselves 4-0 down at the break, but this was a totally different game, and Weymouth made a really bright start – stroking the ball around nicely and putting their hosts under plenty of sustained pressure.

Adam Kelly had their first chance when he tried to curl one home from the edge of the area but his effort went narrowly wide, before Chris Shephard forced a sharp save low down from goalkeeper Jamie Butler.

But despite making a strong start, Weymouth were hit on the counter attack on 12 minutes. Hemel broke with pace and the ball was pulled back to Jamie Slabber who fired home into the bottom corner to give Hemel the lead from what would prove to be their only real chance of the game.

Undeterred the Terras continued to press, and they were looking very dangerous from set pieces. Chris Shephard hit a free-kick just over the bar, before a slick corner routine saw the ball played into the path of Adam Kelly, and his powerful drive took a heavy deflection and flew agonisingly wide of the post, as the Tudors continued to ride their luck.

Having scored the goal, Jamie Slabber was then the hero again at the other end – stabbing Dean Evans’ shot off the line. Minutes later Stewart Yetton tried his luck with a neat turn and shot which fell just wide, before Adam Kelly forced another sharp save from Butler.

There was then a game of pinball on the Hemel goal-line from a corner, with 2 or 3 shots coming in before the ball was somehow cleared to safety.

Yetton then had a golden chance to level it up right on half time when he was sent clean through on goal, but Butler was quick off his line to smother the shot, and Weymouth somehow went in 1-0 down, when in truth they probably deserved to be winning by a couple of goals. 

Hemel came within inches of doubling their lead just minutes into the second half, as Wilfred Gnahore set off on a surging run and unleashed a powerful drive from 20 yards which clipped the post.

But from there Weymouth picked up where they’d left off in the first half and continued to throw everything at their hosts.

Ben Thomson was hauled down on the edge of the area and the resulting free-kick was deflected inches wide, before the resulting corner saw another goal mouth scramble which the hosts somehow survived again.

With twenty minutes to go Hemel were reduced to ten men as Ben Herd saw red for a rash tackle on Mark Molesley, who would be replaced by Billy Lowes shortly afterwards, as Weymouth also threw on Copp and Sills in a desperate attempt to snatch a replay.

Shephard continued to cause the Hemel defence all kinds of problems, and his inch perfect cross was met by Ben Thomson, but he could only head straight at a no doubt relieved Butler in goal.

The Terras continued to throw everything at their hosts but it just wouldn’t fall for them. In what proved their final real effort, Ben Thomson blazed wildly over from the edge of the six yard box, and somehow Hemel held on to secure their place in the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

It’s the second week in a row that Weymouth have dominated but ended up on the losing side. They played some superb football and looked every inch the better side, you definitely would never have guessed Hemel were a league higher. But they did the bit that matters – put the ball in the net, and Weymouth will rue their countless missed chances again.

They shoudn’t be downhearted too much though. They are playing well and if they start taking their chances, sooner or later they’re going to put someone to the sword.

Poole did just that on Tuesday night when they thrashed Histon 7-0, but they were brought back down to earth with a bump on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Kettering Town.

In a scrappy and untidy affair at Latimer Park, Steve Devlin had a good early chance when he went one v one with Kettering goalkeeper Craig Hill, but Hill managed to make a good save.

Kettering were then presented with a golden chance, as Nick Hutchings brought down Liam Canavan, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty.

Luke Burbridge and Michael Walker were both booked for their protests, but perhaps they had an effect – as Nick Hutchings saved Rene Howe’s initial penalty, before Michael Walker blocked a follow-up effort, and the resulting corner was cleared.

The second half would kick off much later than usual after one of the linesman was unable to continue. And when it did get back underway, eventually Kettering made the breakthrough on 64 minutes – ex Corby man Wilson Carvahlo’s cross-cum-shot deflecting in off Michael Walker for what proved to be the winner.

It condemned Poole to a first defeat in five in the league, though they do remain 8 points clear of second placed Leamington who were in FA Trophy action.

The two sides will go head-to-head on Saturday at Tatnam in what looks like an intriguing contest. Leamington have two games in hand over the Dolphins but they have struggled for consistency on the road – with four wins, three draws and two defeats so far. Poole are always strong on home soil and they’ll be looking to make their home advantage count.

Weymouth will be hoping they start taking their chances when they travel to 15th placed Stratford who are making a decent fist of things after promotion last season, whilst Dorchester will look to kick on from their 1-0 win at struggling Histon by getting back to winning ways at home when they welcome 10th placed Kings Lynn Town to the Avenue on Saturday.

Before all that though all three sides are in Dorset Senior Cup action in midweek. Dorchester travel to Portland United who are running with the Wessex Division One, whilst Poole host Sherborne and Weymouth go to Verwood on Wednesday. No doubt all three sides will make a number of changes to their sides in an attempt to rest a few key players going into the busy festive period. 

James Spring

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