Resourceful Terras battle to victory
By Daw Runner

Monday 13th December 2004

A RESOURCEFUL display from a depleted Weymouth side gave them the deserved spoils at Woodside Park.

The Terrras went down to ten-men on 15 minutes after keeper Jason Matthews was sent off for stopping a Paul Hakim shot outside the box with his hand.

But Steve Johnson's team did not panic.

They kept it tight, passed well and looked dangerous on the counter, while the hosts lacked the necessary guile to break down a well-organised defence.

Early action saw Stortford's Richard Howell and Weymouth's Adam Wilde force
diving saves from Matthews and Rob EUiott respectively.

After Matthews was given his marching orders, Johnson took off Kieren Keene and put debutant Steve Clarke back into the midfield.

Francisco Ramos replaced Matthews and Kirk Jackson was entrusted with the
lone striker's role.

The match's high verve continued with Hakim breaking superbly and firing just
wide while Clarke was denied by tfae legs of Elliott, before the deadlock was broken on 32 minutes.

Roy O'Brien nodded home a Danny Byrne corner underneath Eliott and the referee Miek Blackledge waved aside Stortford's protests that it had not gone aver the line before Anthony Alhnan cleared.

Shortly after, Wilde shot just wide after slipping past Allman, but Stortford should have equalised before the break.

A cut back from Martin set up Langer who scuffed his shot badly from 10 yards and it spun towards Hakim who nodded against the bar.

But the latter's effort would not have counted as an offside flag was raised.

The extra man counted more in possession terms after half-time as Stortford pushed forward while the visitors soaked up their pressure.

Hakim, a constant threat, forced an excellent tip away from Ramos on 57 minutes.

The home crowd's irritation increased as Howell nodded wide and at Ramos, while the same Stortford player set up Dave Rainford who miscued his shot.

At the other end, EIliott was forced to pick a loose ball up just in front of Jackson,
who had the last laugh on 85 minutes when he volleyed in at the far post after a
whipped Wilde cross eluded Stortford's keeper.

There was still time for Hakim to scoop over and force a point-blank save from
Ramos, while EIliott dived brilliantly to deny Wilde following a swift counter.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews (sent off 15mins), Mark Boyce, Charlie Welch, Matt Bound, Roy O'Brien, Keiren Keene (Francisco Ramos 15mins), Danny Byrne, lan Hutchinson, Kirk Jackson, Steve Clarke (Ryan Hill 90mins)

Subs not used : Lee Charles, Simon Browne, Callum Ross-Jennins

Bishop's Stortford : Rob EIliott, Anthony Allman, Gareth Gwillim, Dave Rainford, Ben Lewis, Magnus Okuonghae, Richard Howell, Scott Goodwin, Tim Langer (Duane Jackman 69mins), Paul Hakim, Alex Martin

Subs not used : Rob Gillman, Alex Riches, Anthony
Fenton, Andrew Young.

Referee : Mike Blackledge

Bookings :

Weymouth :

Bishop's Stortford :

Bookings :

Weymouth : Jason Matthews (15 minutes)