Butler Drops The Long Ball
by Steve Dadd & Pete Pavey

29th September 2002

Weymouth returned to Hardenhuish for this second qualifying round FA Cup tie against highflying Chippenham Town. Weymouth boss Geoff Butler had stood his ground and eloquently argued against his detractors who had accused him of adopting the long ball game, but the proof was in the pudding and after disappointing recent encounters this tie was a good as time as any to dispel those myths.

Weymouth were dealt a double blow when both Rawlinson and Ashford were sidelined with flu, but Alex Browne was declared fit after a late test.

Weymouth lost the toss and kicked off down the hill. Chippenham hit the ground running and within a minute a static Weymouth defence saw Charlie Griffin burst through, but he shot well wide and minutes later Shane Andrews' far post header had Matthews grasping at the air to save.

Weymouth took the lead with their first attack, Steve Tulley burst down the right flank passed to Whiteman who flicked the ball over the covering defender to Lee Phillips, who burst into the area, rounded Bittner and slotted home from the tightest of angles.

Chippenham were clearly shocked and winded as the visitors got into their stride although the home side looked the stronger in the tackle and were more determined going forward.

Steve Brown had a shot for Chippenham on 20 minutes, his effort beat Matthews, but crashed into the side netting.

Chippenham got a deserved equalizer on 29 minutes. A move up the left flank was poorly cleared and fell to Steve Brown his cross went to Martin Paul at the far post who tapped the ball home.

The home side's vociferous support do not travel well and so stayed camped at the Weymouth end,. Good natured banter was enjoyed by both sets of supporters in the bike shed that doubles up as a covered terrace.

Chippenham's goal was to be the high point of their FA Cup trail this season as Weymouth stepped up a gear and never looked back. Michael Dean unleashed a 30-yard drive that shaved the left hand upright on the half hour and five minutes later Hutchinson headed Tully’s cross over the bar.

With a large majority of the 900 plus crowd already queuing for the 2 available toilets the referee’s whistle at half time was greeted with silence as the score was:

Chippenham Town 1 Weymouth 1

Alex Browne failed to make the restart after he broke down with his hamstring again and was replaced by Sajic. 

Marc Whiteman made a strong run up the right flank, he cleverly beat his marker before setting up Phillips, his shot was blocked as it went goalwards.

Weymouth made it two on 48 minutes; A Hutchinson cross from the right was met by Gethin Jones who rose above a melee of heads to batter the ball home.

Weymouth were in complete control, with crisp passing and good movement a third goal was just a matter of time. The hosts had no answer to their visitors' confidence and strong arm tactics were dealt with strongly by Mr. Haines who awarded the Terras a free kick 20 yards out on 51 minutes. Deano’s cracking shot had Bittner scrambling in the dirt to recover the ball.

Gethin Jones, playing at centre half, won the ball in his own half, with players backing off he raced goalwards, approaching the area he played a sweet 1 - 2 with Phillips, receiving the ball he was dragged to the ground in what can only be described as a half Nelson. Mr. Haines had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but awarded the perpetrator Tom Gould only a yellow card, unluckily for Chippenham it was his second of the match and he was walking.

Bittner tried psyching Deano out, but for all his sportsmanship he dived the wrong way after Michael Dean’s two pace run up was enough to ensure Weymouth’s third.

Weymouth were now queuing up for shots on goal as ten man Chippenham bought on Adie Mings to add more fire power up front. Sajic had an excellent drive blocked on the line and, at the other end, Matthews had to be alert to push a Mings' effort onto the post.

John "Mad Dog" Waldock made a very welcome appearance on the 70th minute replacing the hobbling Kenway.

Lee Phillips finished the rout on 90 minutes with a carbon copy of his first goal, a Whiteman pass set him free, he side stepped the keeper and gleefully blasted home.