Can we play you every week
By Steve Dadd

22nd October 2000

Was the quote from Andy Mason, interviewed on radio Solent, after Weymouth had thumped league high flyers Ilkeston Town 4-1.

The match started very different to how it finished with Ilkeston in the ascendancy, and only Ryan Cross's goal line clearance in the first minute stalled the visitors bright start.

However, Weymouth found their feet, and Gammon, Rowbotham and Robinson worked the right channel with much effect, although the Terras first effort came through the centre of the field, Rowbotham set up David Laws but his chipped effort went wide.

On 11 minutes Hale on the left, combined with Hutchinson well, he in turn put the ball to Robinson who saw his effort go inches over.

Three minutes later, Robinson was again in the thick of it, but his efforts went unrewarded.

Against the run of play Mark Clifford forged past Michael Dean and his well hit drive easily beat the diving Potter. The small but vociferous visiting supporters went wild and showered their goalscorer with ticker tape.

Play resumed at the other end, Hutchison nodded down to the advancing Hale but he blasted his shot over the bar.

With 32 minutes gone, the reborn Rowbotham, turned his marker following a Gammon throw in, his delicate cross found Robinson who in turn passed across the face of goal to the awaiting Laws who failed to make real contact with the ball and the ball was gratefully smothered by Love in the visiting goal.

Weymouth continued to push forward and their efforts were finally rewarded after Michael Dean confounded his critics and passed the ball forward with a defence splitting pass to Hutchinson and with only the keeper to beat, Hutch made sure.

Within 30 seconds, Love was picking the ball out of the net, this time Laws set up Robinson on the edge of the area, Curly made no mistake belting it past the keeper from 20 yards.

After the break, the third goal took only another 7 minutes in coming, Dean picked out Rowbotham's run and from 35 yards with Love off his line the former Exeter star lobbed the keeper.

On 55 minutes, Gammo crossed to an awaiting Hutchinson, but his well hit effort struck the keeper, the rebound fell to Laws but he saw his shot hit the bar, Michael Dean was on hand to thump the ball over the bar.

Ten minutes later, Laws ran down the right, beat one marker and from a tight angle saw his cross/cum shot skim the top of the bar.

Once again the Terras faithful thought that Lawsy would continue in his goal famine with three easyish efforts wasted, but on the 84th minute Potter cleared from deep after a spell of Ilkeston revival, he found Laws in front of the dugout, Lawsy ran to the edge of the box, cut inside beat two attendant markers and his ensuing shot from 25 yards very near burst the net.

The Wessex stadium erupted, not only for witnessing an excellent goal, but also breathing a sigh of relief for the luckless Laws who's recent goal famine was cause for concern for all. Lawsy's public applause of the crowd displayed his obvious thanks in those that had kept faith in him.