Cool Charlie Seals Terras Double
By Matt Pitman

Monday 25th April 2005

CHARLIE Macdonald kept his cool to help Weymouth leap-frog hosts Hayes in mid-table of Conference South.

The striker needed two bites of the cherry to make it 3-1 after his 86th minute penalty was saved by home keeper Kevin Davies.

The former Crawley Town star's late goal calmed the Terras who earlier raced into a commanding two-goal interval lead through Kirk Jackson and Roy O'Brien.

But once Kieren Knight pulled one back for Hayes, there were plenty of nervy moments for Garry Hill's men at Church Road.

However, Weymouth survived the test to secure a league double over the Middlesex side this season and make it four wins from six league games for the Terras boss.

Lining up with a three-pronged strike force, goals always looked on the cards for the visitors in their penultimate game on the road.

Weymouth bossed things in the opening half, creating plenty of decent chances.

Macdonald, who netted his first goal for the Terras at Portland last week, nearly put the visitors ahead inside three minutes.

Winger Steve Clark found the lively former Charlton Athletic youngster but keeper Davies was equal to his close range effort.

Under Hill, Weymouth now pose a real threat from set-pieces and some of their best openings came through that route at Hayes,

Midfielder Brian Dutton went close from an excellent Shaun Wilkinson corner, before the visitors were thankful to another perfect flag kick for them taking the lead on 16 minutes.

Ex-Havant and Waterlooville star Wilkinson's cross was met by a glancing header by striker Kirk Jackson who guided the ball past Davies from close range.

Hayes rallied briefly from that early setback and Terras keeper Jason Matthews had to have his wits about him to save well from Stuart Tanfield after a decent run.

But that was a rare worry for the visitors during a opening period when they always seemed in command.

Big defender Matt Bound nearly doubled the lead, heading over from another Wilkinson corner.

Weymouth's frontline of Jackson, Macdonald and Vill Powell were looking dangerous and the latter could have continued his excellent scoring form on 36 minutes.

Jackson flicked Clark's cross into the Powell's path but the Grays Athletic asset, whose loan period expires next week, could not take advantage.

The Terras pressure paid off in stoppage when they made it 2-0, with Wilkinson again playing a big part in the buildup.

Dutton rose high to head Wilkinson's corner goal wards, only for Davies to push the effort behind for another setpiece.

This time however, the Hayes keeper was left helpless as Jackson flicked on for O'Brien to power a header home.

The instrumental Wilkinson nearly got on the scoresheet himself after the break, volleying just wide from the edge of the area.

Hayes, having looked dead and buried at the interval, shocked the Terras by clawing their way back into it just after the hour.

A swift counter ended with Knight wriggling free and giving Matthews no chance from the edge of the area.

The strike put a spring in the step of the hosts who began to turn the screw in search of an equaliser.

Matthews had to be alert to clear the danger on a number of occasions, in particular saving well from Marvin Bartley.

There were more anxious moments for Hill, who replaced striker Powell with winger Darren Wheeler, when substitute Danny Jeffries bore down on goal but Matthews again came to the rescue.

The chances dried up for Weymouth, although O'Brien fired wildly over the top following Wilkinson's lay-off.

But just as it looked like the visitors would have to survive nervy closing moments, Macdonald ensured the points were safe with five minutes left.

The diminutive striker burst through into the area, only to be hauled back by defender Peter Collins.

Referee Miller pointed to the spot with Macdonald getting up, dusting himself down and taking the kick himself.

He must have wished he hadn't of bothered when Davies saved the striker's first effort.

But luckily for Macdonald, the rebound fell kindly for him to tuck home from close-range to seal the points.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Roy O'Brian, Simon Browne, Matt Bound, Bradley Thomas, Brian Dutton, Steve Clark, Shaun Wilkinson, Kirk Jackson, Charlie Macdonald, ViII Powell.

Subs : Darren Wheeler (for Powell 71 mins), Chukki Eribenne, Ian Hutchinson (for Wilkinson)

Hayes : Kevin Davies, Stuart Goodall, Adarn Everitt, Yiadorn Yeboah, Peter Collins, Marvin Bartley, Jon Case, Kevin McClenn, Jon Dyer, Kieran Knight, Stuart Tanfield

Subs : Mark Bartley, Shaun McAuley (for Tanfield 65 mins), Danny Jefferies (for Bartley 81 mins), Michael Watkins

Bookings :

Weymouth : Wilkinson

Referee : C Miller