Terras All At Sea At The Port
by Steve Dadd & Pete Pavey

6th November 2002

Two pitch inspections on the notoriously swampy St. Georges field were required before Mr. Evany from Liphook allowed this Dr Martens first round tie against Eastern division strugglers Newport (IOW) to proceed.

A strong back line with the inclusion of John Waldock bolstered a side that lacked an experienced front man as Lee Phillips (stomach bug) and Julian Charles (back injury) joined Michael Dean (twisted ankle) Mark Robinson (thigh) Mark Kenway (knee) Lee Bradford (out altogether).

Weymouth received the best of starts when from a Tully free kick Alex Browne rose high to nod the ball goalwards, that took a deflection off Lance Spencer into the back of the net.

The Terras were in complete control as the host’s were in disarray but as in recent matches for all of Weymouth possession and control they lacked sparkle in the final third of the pitch and let a number of chances go begging.

Matthews was a virtual spectator for the first half hour but had to be at his best to deal with an Alan Barsdell shot on 32 minutes.

Newport's young side started to bully the meek Terras mid field as Mr Evany’s constant whistle blowing was evidence of that, much to the disdain of the local support.

Alex Browne had another header flash past the upright before half time as the Terras looked comfortable if a little shot shy.

So at half time the score was: Newport (IOW) 0 Weymouth 1

Newport upped the anti from the re start and looked stronger and stronger as Weymouth lost the midfield battle, Justin Hughes set the crossbar ringing on 62 minutes and it came as no surprise when Newport equalised 4 minutes later. An Adam Lang corner from the right was half fumbled half pushed into the net by the normally reliable Matthews at the near post.

With the wind up their tails Newport came at Weymouth even stronger, breaking down the Terras attacks before they got going, and fighting for every ball.

The islanders took the lead on 75 minutes, an agricultural tackle by Carl Mutch gave the home side a free kick just to the right and outside of the area. Adam Barsdell walloped the ball goalwards, Matthews managed to push the ball onto the bar but the ball fell to Isaacson who blasted the ball home.

Newport compounded Weymouth’s misery on 81 minutes when a long punt from deep saw Matthews come off his line, he faltered then continued, this was enough to allow new signing Jamie O’Rourke to whip the ball away from the Terras gloveman and slot home from a tight angle.

Weymouth awoke for the final knockings and except for poor finishing could easily have levelled through Rawlinson, Ashford and Mutch, but it was not to be and Geoff Butler left the field a confused, frustrated and disappointed man.