Priory pain as Terras fall apart
by Matt Pitman

Monday November 22nd 2004

WEYMOUTH threw away a two-goal lead as boss Steve Johnson suffered a miserable afternoon on his own doorstep.

The Terras coach, who lives just down the road from Priory Lane, watched as his side fell apart in the second half, eventually crashing 4-2 to the in-form Sussex side.

It all looked so good for Weymouth when Lee Phillips' early penalty and
Kirk Jackson's cracker put the Dorset side well in command.

But the visitors failed to extend their lead and faded horribly as Eastbourne
scored four times in just 23 second half minutes.

Johnson paired Simon Browne and Steve Tully in the centre of midfield after
Martin Barlow was ruled out with back spasms and skipper Paul Buckle was asked to stay away.

For virtually all of the opening period Weymouth were well in command of the battle of the two south coast seaside towns.

Debutant Mark Boyce cut in from the right flank and drove over keeper Lee
Hook's goal early on.

The hosts rarely threatened in the early stages, as dangerman striker Scott
Ramsay's turn and low shot was saved by Terras keeper Jason Matthews.

But the visitors soon got a stranglehold on proceedings and deservedly took the lead on 12 minutes.

Striker Lee Phillips seized on a loose ball, ploughed his way into the Borough area and was cruelly pulled down by Hook just as he looked like netting.

The keeper was only booked for the offence and Phillips dusted himself|
down to net the resulting penalty.

Winger Adam Wilde was a constant threat down the left for the Terras and his neat pass almost released Jackson soon after.

Some good defending by Barren Baker then denied Phillips, before Tully galloped through to pull a left-footed effort wide.

Borough hit back as skipper Stuart Tuck fizzed a drive inches wide and
Matthews blocked from Ben Austin's cushioned shot.

The visitors continued to press and were rewarded with a second ten minutes before the break.

Bucked

Wilde and Browne com- bined to set up Jackson 25 yards out.

The former Hornchurch star took a touch and sent a thumping drive rocketing past Hook.

The home side bucked their ideas up after the break and enjoyed plenty of joy down either flank.

Winger Oilie Rowland had a close range header blocked by Matthews but Weymouth still looked like extending their lead further.

Hook was equal to Jackson's scissor kick after a Terras free-kick was only
half cleared.

The chances continued to come as Nathan Bunce headed at Hook from Tully's free-kick.

Moments later Hook did brilliantly to turn Tully's 25-yard drive over at full stretch.

And that stop proved the turning point and Eastbourne pulled one back seconds later when they went straight down the other end.

Smart got on the end of Tuck's pinpoint cross from the left to head past
Matthews with the aid of an upright.

Suddenly Borough's tails were up as Weymouth were overrun in midfield arid just two minutes later the hosts were level.

Another deep cross from left from Tuck found the unmarked Ramsay who
made no mistake with his head from close range.

It was now one-way traffic as lively striker Loui Fazackerley almost made it
three after wriggling free in the box.

Eastbourne grabbed the decisive third on 82 minutes when Matt Bound gave away possession to Danny Simmonds who found Fazackerley.

The ball eventually broke for the lethal Ramsay to tuck home from close range for his second.

Things were made even worse for Weymouth in the closing stages when Rowland skipped through to complete the dramatic comeback.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Steve Tully, Dave Waterman, Nathan Bunce, Matt Bound, Mark Boyce, Simon Browne, Adam Wilde, Lee Charles, Kirk Jackson, Lee Phillips

Subs : Ian Hutchinson (for Browne 69mins), Shaun Wilkinson (for Charles 57mins) Chukki Eribenne (for Phillips 83mins), Callum Ross-Jenkins, Francisco Ramos

Eastbourne Borough : Lee Hook, Darren Baker, Stuart Tuck, Matt Smart, Stuart Playford, Ben Austin, Danny Simmonds, Danny Chapman, Scott Ramsay, Loui Fazackerley

Subs : Stuart Myall (for Fazackerley 89mins), Anthony Storey (for Simmonds 87mins), Darren Smith, Liam Baitup, Dean Lightwood

Referee : Eric Mackerell

Bookings :

Weymouth : Tully (foul), Bunce (foul), Boyce (foul)

Eastbourne Borough : Hook (foul)