Battling young Terras fight back for victory
by Matt Pitman

Wednesday 4th August 2004

Starlet's Ryan Hill and John Lamb netted as Weymouth recovered to win 2-1 at Bashley last night.

The young wingers, who are due to spend the coming season away from the Wessex Stadium on loan, grabbed second-half strikes at the Recreation Ground.

The Terras had fallen behind to striker Richard Gillespie's early Bash opener before a half-time roasting from boss Steve Claridge got them going.

But former manager Geoff Butler and assistant boss Ricky Haysom missed the reunion with their old employers who won the Dave Jose Memorial Trophy with victory.

The pair, sacked by Weymouth 15 months ago, missed the pre season friendly because they are both way on holiday.

Butler would have been thrilled with his new club's start against the Conference South second favourites.

The visitors, who made 10 changes from the side which saw off Exeter City at the weekend, looked slugish and were behind within 10 minutes.

Highly-rated Gillespie capitalised on a slip by defender Jamie Impey, raced through and coolly slotted past 16-year-old keeper Simon Evans.

Striker Chukki Eribenne almost got Weymouth back on terms, but his downward header was clawed away by Bashley's ex-Dorchester keeper David Elm.

Some poor control cost Gillespie his second, before the visitors started to create a little more on a bumpy pitch.

Dave Waterman's awkward high ball from defence had Bashley's defence at sixes and sevens, sending striker Lee Charles clear.

But with Elm to beat, the former Aldershot Town man's sense of direction left him and lobbed well wide.

Weymouth's best move of the half came just before the break when Lamb, Charles and Simon Browne linked up well to set up Lee Philpott on the edge of the area.

But the skilful midfielder sent his driven shot crashing into the advertising board's wide of Elm's goal.

Defender Jamie Impey also wasted a good chance in stoppage time, prodding wide after getting on the end of Lamb's dangerous corner.

Paul Buckle, the hero of the win over Exeter, came on at the break for Philpott. Bashley came close to doubling their lead after the restart with virtually their last serious effort on Evans' goal. Former Terra Graemme Gee found Mat Jones whose first-time shot fizzed just over.

Spaniard Joseba Barandiarna sent a volley of his own close moments later before Weymouth finally got back on terms on 56 minutes.

Charles and Eribenne combined well in the final third to find Lamb down the left flank.

The youngster, who is set to spend the season on loan at Bridgewater Town, sent over a pinpoint centre for teenager Hill to crash home via the aid of a deflection at the far post.

After the equaliser, the visitors looked the more likely as Eribenne fired wide after Barandiarna's neat pass.

What proved the winner came with just 15 minutes left as Lamb was on the spot to turn home after substitute keeper Robert Vine parried Shaun Wilkinson's shot.

And it was Wilkinson, who played up front after replacing Charles, who should have made it three with seconds left but pulled his shot wide from a tight angle.

Weymouth: Evans, Pethick, Browne, Barandiarna, Impey, Waterman, Hill, Charles, Eribenne, Philpott, Lamb, Subs: Buckle (for Philpot 45) Matthews, Orchard (for Pethick 57), Hutchinson, Bound, Bunce, Gill, Tully, Wilkinson (for Charles 61), Gibbs