Lacklustre Terras Rocked By Riviere
by Matt Pitman

Monday 15th March

Anthony Riviere dealt a hammer blow to Weymouth's Dr Martens Premier Division title hopes at the Wessex Stadium.

The talented Welling midfielder notched a first half double and played a starring role in condemning the poor Terras to a shock defeat against former Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker's side.

Striker Luke Nightingale got one back in bizarre fashion to give Steve Claridge's men hope.

But the former Portsmouth youngster will surely be having nightmares after missing an absolute sitter to rescue what could prove to be a crucial point.

The injury-ravaged Kent visitors, who could only name two substitutes, survived a late onslaught leaving Weymouth four points behind leaders Crawley Town.

Defensive naivety and a lack of striking power was again the problem as Claridge's men sorely missed injured frontman Lee Phillips.

The Cornishman was set to play after passing a fitness test, but broke down minutes later in the pre-match warm up.

Chairman Ian Ridley hosts a fans' forum at the Wessex Stadium tonight and, after this showing, the question of firepower is likely to be high on the agenda.

Mark Robinson was surprisingly left out of the starting line up after starring in a substitute role at Moor Green last Tuesday and the home side appeared edgy all over the park from the off.

Tim Clancy, Robbie Pethick and Graeme Power were given a torrid time at the back, particularly by the impressive Riviere.

Passes went astray in midfield and Claridge was often left isolated up front.

The warning signs were there early on and it was no surprise when the Kent side went ahead on ten minutes.

A poor pass by Pethick gifted possession to Austin Berkeley on the left wing.

His cross was struck goalwards by Paul Booth only for under-pressure keeper Jason Matthews, celebrating his 29th birthday, to spill into the path of Riviere who made no mistake.

The Terras upped the tempo in a bid to get back into it and Nightingale wasted a decent chance by sending his curler at keeper Gavin Kelly.

But another error at the other end cost Weymouth dear yet again on 26 minutes.

Booth was allowed time and space to plant a slide-rule cross beyond Matthews, with Riviere on hand to make it two.

Frustrations on the quiet terraces quickly rose and transferred to home players as Shaun Wilkinson was booked for a rash challenge on Danny Slater, handing him a ban.

Claridge planted a header over the top from close range and the Nightingale pulled a shot wide just before the break.

The half-time whistle saw Terras fans boo their side off, and Claridge took action by taking off the ineffective Wilkinson and Graeme Power.

Welling almost made the game safe when Phil Collins broke through, but he was denied by a great last-ditch tackle by Pethick.

But Robinson's introduction added spark to Weymouth, as it did at Moor Green, and he played a part in Lee Philpott driving over on the hour. But the former Gravesend man's afternoon ended just 22 minutes after it started when he went down with a suspected broken collar bone while harrying a couple of Wings defenders.

With the game seemingly drifting away from them, the hosts were thrown a lifeline on 67 minutes.

Pethick's long ball bounced through to Kelly, who was pressured by Nightingale and crashed his clearance against the striker on the edge of the box.

To the keeper's despair, the ball trickled agonisingly over the line despite the best efforts of defender Brian Statham.

That sparked a Weymouth onslaught and it seemed an equaliser was on the cards.

The best chance fell to Nightingale when Claridge streaked away and crossed for the unmarked 22-year-old.

But with the goal at his mercy, the striker somehow blazed over from three yards out.

The visitors threw men behind the ball in the closing stages and survived numerous heart-stopping moments.

First hesitant Paul Buckle failed to take advantage of Kelly's fumble in a crowded box and then Jamie Impey sent a towering header inches wide.

And in the fifth minute of injury time, the Terras were howling for handball when Buckle's shot was hammered against Statham in the area.

But referee Paul Hutton was not impressed and with that appeal went Weymouth's chances of a point.