Lawsy's golden return as Terras cruise into last eight
by Matt Pitman

21st January 2004

David Laws rolled back the years by netting as Weymouth cruised into the quarter-final of the Dr Martens League Cup last night.

The veteran Portland United striker marked his dramatic return to the Terras by heading them into the lead against Bath City.

Laws, who left Weymouth for Portland United last May, showed the Wessex Stadium he had lost none of his goalscoring instincts with a superb 30th minute opener.

Skipper Paul Buckle added a second from the penalty spot after the break to book Steve Claridge's under-strength side a place in the last eight.

Weymouth, for whom debutant defender Graeme Power and striker Stewart Yetton impressed, always controlled proceedings against the Romans.

Bath striker Scott Partridge endured a miserable return to the Wessex Stadium after his departure from the Terras last month.

The former Rushden and Diamonds man was never given a sniff by Robbie Pethick, John Waldock or Power and was substituted midway through the second period.

The hosts settled first and started in a fashion that continued throughout the tie.

Yetton led the line brilliantly and was at the centre of all good things for Weymouth in the opening 45.

It took a well-timed interception by busy Bath defender Steve Jenkins to deny the Plymouth Argyle asset's toes as he streaked through just seven minutes in.

The pair were the centre of attention again minutes later after a brilliant through ball by the left-footed Power.

The teenage striker pressured his marker into passing back to Bath keeper Paul Evans.

The gloveman was booked for his protests but made up for that by pulling off a great double save from Pethick and then Yetton from the resulting free-kick.

Bath, who have struggled for goals this season, showed just why they are at the wrong end of the Dr Martens Premier Division table.

The Romans lacked the cutting edge needed and never really looked like seriously testing Terras keeper Jason Matthews.

It was pretty much one-way traffic as midfielder Martin Barlow carved chance after chance.

Bath were grateful to Darren Hawkins for clearing a crashing Yetton header off the line.

Pethick again went close with a fizzing free-kick but the goal that looked inevitable came on 30 minutes - and it was that man Laws.

A Barlow chip found Yetton who somehow squeezed his cross over from an impossible angle and there was Laws at the far post to guide a header past Evans.

That prompted wild scenes, including Claridge pumping his fists in the directors' box to salute the striker.

Laws went close again just before the break, as did Yetton who bundled past Jenkins but shot wide.

Mark Robinson wildly drove wide from point blank range as the Terras continued to press.

It was fast turning into Weymouth against Evans and the visiting gloveman often came out on top.

Volleys from Power and Laws were both turned behind by Evans before Claridge made a couple of changes.

One of those, fielding Steve Tully down the left flank, paid off almost instantly as he crossed for Yetton, who was bundled over by Jenkins.

Substitute Buckle took the resulting spot-kick but his weak effort was turned away by Evans.

But the unlucky keeper was penalised for moving too early and Buckle netted his retake.

That blow seemed to knock the stuffing out of Bath who continued to pass the ball around but created little.

Indeed, their only efforts of note after the break came when Partridge pulled wide from close range and Drew Shore blasting just wide from 25 yards late on.

Yetton was withdrawn by Claridge after another good night's work and with his departure came the end of Weymouth's openings.