Brilliant Byrne leaves it late
by Matt Pitman

Monday 31st January 2005

FREE kick specialist Danny Byrne smashed another collector's item to earn Weymouth a last-gasp victory over Basingstoke Town.

The former Manchester United starlet curled home in the ninth minute of added time to secure a deserved win over the ten-man hosts.

His superb strike capped an action-packed closing quarter at Camrose that had a bit of everything.

The Conference South contest appeared to be heading for a stalemate when Terras striker Ludovic Cadima skipped through deep into injury time.

The impressive teenager earlier saw his goal-bound effort cruelly handled by keeper Scott Tarr outside the area, earning the stopper a red card.

This time in near identical circumstances, Cadima was sent flying on the edge of the box.

Offender Mark Zawadski, the substitute keeper, survived with only a booking to the horror of Terras boss Steve Johnson.

But justice was done from the resulting free kick which Byrne lashed past an eight-man wall and into the bottom corner of Zawadski's net.

The strike prompted ecstatic celebrations from the travelling fans,including a mini pitch invasion.

And those joyous scenes continued on the Hollywood script writers would envisage but a win fully deserved by the Dorset side.

For long periods, they controlled proceedings against the hosts who are without a win since Christmas.

And chief tormentor was Cadima who had a hatful of chances to get on the scoresheet.

The teenager's low drive was blocked by Tarr on seven minutes and the former Anderlecht man felt he should have had a penalty moments later.

Full-back Charlie Welch found Cadima who danced into the area, appeared to be bundled over by Ricky Allaway but no spot-kick was awarded.

Cadima was again denied by Tarr and it seemed a goal was just around the corner for Johnson's side.

But how Basingstoke didn't take the lead with their first serious effort on goal on 24 minutes will remain one of life's great mysteries.

Sergio Torres' goalbound drive was blocked by Matt Bound, only to run to Neville Roach whose close range drive crashed against the post.

The ball fell for Martin Whiddett whose effort was somehow scrambled away only for Matthews to claw away German De La Vega's sizzler.

Incisive

Welch was lucky to escape after appearing to catch Christian Levis inside his own area before loanee Nicolas Mirza went close for Weymouth.

Things remained on a knife-edge after the break as both sides searched for an opener.

But it was the Terras and Cadima, deputising for the injured Lee Phillips, in particular who looked the most likely.

Kirk Jackson's quick throw released his strike partner down the right who cut inside and drilled a deflected shot just wide.

Levis wasted the home side's best chance after an incisive run from Torres.

The game became stretched as both sides looked for a winner, but the pace
of Cadima continued to cause Stoke problems.

The opener looked on the cards on 76 minutes when the diminutive striker latched on to Byrne's through ball.

But Cadima gave keeper Tarr too much time when attempting to round him and the chance went begging.

Welch's effort from distance caused Tarr to muddy his knees, while Jackson's speculative lob was not far away.

Seconds later Cadima sprinted away after Mirza played him in, only for Tarr to handle outside his area and receive a red card.

With the hosts hanging on and down to ten men, the Terras increased the pressure and eventually got their rewards deep into stoppage time.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Mark Boyce, Charlie Welch, Matt Bound, Brad Thomas, Ian Hutchinson, Danny Byrne, Nicolas Mirza, Kirk Jackson, Ludovic Cadima, Darren Wheeler

Subs : Simon Browne, Kieren Keane, Steve Tully, Ryan Hill, Francisco Ramos

Basingstoke Town : Scott Tarr, Brett Cooper, Neville Stamp, Jason Bristow, Ricky Allaway, David Ray, Christian Levis, Sergio Torres, Martin Whiddett, Neville Roach, German De La Vega

Subs : Scott Smith (Levis 90mins), Jamie McClurg, Ryan Stephens, Mark Zawadski (De La Vega 85mins), Nathan Stamp

Referee : E Martin

Bookings :

Weymouth : Boyce 75 (foul)

Basingstoke Town : Zawadski 90 (foul)

Sending off :

Basingstoke : Tarr 85 (hand ball)