Lethal Terras answer critics in style
By Matt Pitman

1st March 2004

Weymouth answered their doubters and critics by powering back to winning ways at the Wessex Stadium.

A run of five losses in six games had cynics suggesting the wheels were about to fall off the Terras Dr Martens Premier Division title challenge.

But Steve Claridge's side needed just 14 seconds to show they still have what it takes to win promotion.

Lee Phillips got the show on the road within a minute before later adding a third and impressed with a devastating display of pace and strength.

Other standout performances came from midfield maestro Lee Philpott and rock solid defensive pair Robbie Pethick and loan Millwall teenager Tim Clancy.

And despite all their recent setbacks, the Terras could well be sitting pretty at the top of the table again tomorrow night if Dover go the same way as Moor Green.

And what made this victory all the more impressive was that it came against a side previously beaten just once in their last 13 outings.

If the hosts had been suffering a confidence crisis going into the contest, it certainly didn't show.

Straight from the off Weymouth had their Birmingham-based visitors on the back foot.

And any latecomers would have missed the opening goal, which came when Pethick found Philpott who released Phillips in the right hand corner of the area.

The striker was allowed time and space and gave Moors keeper Adam Rachel no chance with the finish.

The mid-table visitors, who rarely threatened, almost got back on terms when Rob Elmes shot was tipped over by Jason Matthews.

But there was no let up at the other end as the Terras eagerly searched to double their advantage.

And it was no surprise when they did so just seven minutes in.

Steve Tully, back in a right wing back role, found Philpott who did well to work some space down the left and crossed for Claridge to nod home from close range.

By now Weymouth were on fire and it looked like a thrashing would be on the cards.

It could and probably should have been three on 11 minutes when Phillips latched on to a long ball by Pethick and scampered through.

But rather than shooting, the Cornishman instead squared for the lurking Claridge and the alert Richard Robinson cleared the danger.

The hosts had a decent shout for a penalty turned down when Tully was sent sprawling by Phil Trainer on the byline midway through the half.

Moor Green gradually started to come back into it after that, but the damage had already been done.

Ian Hutchinson bravely blocked a stinging drive from Peter Faulds which was heading goalwards just before the break.

And any thoughts the Dorset side would throw away their early good work ended when they killed the game off less than a minute after the restart.

Again the move began with Pethick whose chip forward was hopefully flicked on by Claridge.

Moor Green defender Robinson, who had a nightmare afternoon, could only spoon his clearance into the path of the dangerous Phillips and he nipped in to fire a low right-footed shot past the exposed Rachel from the edge of the box.

But things didn't go totally the way of the home side as they were dealt a blow when midfielder Martin Barlow and defender Simon Browne were forced off through injury.

Three goals to the good, Weymouth took things easy for the closing third of the contest with one eye on tomorrow's home league clash with Dover.

The Moors enjoyed a few more chances late on as first Phil Trainer had a effort from range well held by Matthews and a swerving Daire Doyle shot flew just inches over.

Terras substitute Mark Robinson could have made it four but drove wildly over after good work down the right by Pethick.

Elmes and substitute John Frain had a couple of chances in the closing minutes to reduce the arrears but Matthews dealt with their efforts as the home side played out time.