"Now we can concentrate on the league"
By Paul O'Reilly

1st October 2000

An old cliché I know, but Weymouth's FA Cup run for this season lasted just 70 seconds in real terms.
 
That's how long it took for Danny O'Hagan to rise, unchallenged, and nod an early free-kick into the bottom corner of the Terras' net past a statuesque, Danny Potter.

Most Weymouth fans did not even see the goal as they were changing ends in the hope of seeing a Weymouth goal at close quarters. And even fewer would have thought the visitors could hold on to that one goal lead for 97.5 minutes. Yes, that's right, at least that long. 

Weymouth were slow off the blocks and it was Dorchester who showed the most passion, commitment, and desire to win, in the first half. At times, the visitors were playing with the Terras midfield, stroking the ball around with ease. 

It was the 38th minute before Weymouth came close to opening their account in this tie, when Michael Dean's corner curled in, missed everyone, and struck the bar before being cleared. Two minutes later, David Laws found the ball at his feet on the edge of a crowded six yard box, but blazed over.

Dorchester kept going and almost added to their lead on the stroke of half time when O'Hagan (I think) had his shot deflected on to the post by Potter.
Half-Time: 0-1
The second half saw Weymouth off the blocks a lot quicker. Just a minute into the half, the ball dropped to David Laws on the edge of the box and, as keeper David Elm came out to meet him, Lawsy lobbed the ball on the half-volley over Elm . . . . . . . and against the bar and over. Worse fortune, however, was still to fall on David.

On 59 minutes, Darran Rowbotham, who had been marked quite competently by his brother for most the game, found space AND the ball, but only managed to shoot over.

Owen Pickard was replaced by Matt Groves after 64 minutes and, a minute later, Ryan Cross went into referee Mackrell's book for a foul on one of his old colleague.

Weymouth made their first substitution on 67 minutes when Andy Mason finally relented and sent on Martin Underhay, who the crowd had been shouting for for most the second half, to replace Michael Dean, who, to be fair, did not have much of an influence in midfield.

With an extra striker on the pitch, the Terras pushed forward and almost went two down as a result. A slip at the back after 69 minutes saw substitute, Matt Groves, run clear from the half-way line and one on one with Danny Potter. The keeper spread himself superbly and the shot struck him and went clear.

Seconds later, a scramble in the six-yard box with arms and bodies flaying all over the place ended with Mr. Mackrell blowing his whistle and pointing to the spot. Foul or hand-ball? I don't know and didn't really care. The home crowd held their breath as the normally reliable David Laws ran up to take the kick. Unfortunately, Laws did not strike it well and it went low to the keeper's left. Coupled with David Elm guessing the right way, the penalty was pushed away for a corner and the score remain at 0:1. To the crowd's credit - behind the goal anyway - David's second penalty miss in two weeks was not met with jeers, but with cheers of support as Laws' distraught face said it all.

John Waldock was booked on 75 minutes for an off the ball incident, noticed only by the assistant referee.

Five minutes from time, my man of the match, Ian Hutchinson, received a through ball and ran towards goal. Keeper Elm came out of his area and took Hutch out. His reward? The saving of a certain goal and a YELLOW card, much to the home side and crowd's disbelief. 

Two minutes left on the clock and Martin Underhay received the ball in the same position as his match-winner at Fisher earlier this month. He twisted, turned, created space and then . . chipped it into the keeper's hands with Laws free four yards away. This was not to be our day.

Mark Gammon limped off on 90 minutes replaced by Matthew Hare as the clock run down. Or so we thought!

I timed that second half as 52 minutes 29 seconds. Old Trafford timing! Still was not long enough for Weymouth to force a replay as Dorchester held firm.

So, no fixture for the Terras on October 14th as I write. Dorchester must now wait to find out their next opponents.