Terras Given Finishing Lesson
By Matt Pitman

Thursday 21st April 2005

CHAMPIONS Weymouth rounded off their unbeaten Sammy McGowan Cup campaign with a comfortable win at Portland United last night.

Charlie Macdonald and Vill Powell fired the Terras ahead before Chukki Eribenne and Simon Browne netted late second half efforts at Grove Corner.

With visiting boss Garry Hill fielding a host of first teamers, it is hardly a surprise the Blues went down to a heavy defeat.

But for a time Dave Court's youngsters seemed likely of springing a shock when Nick Murray equalised from the spot midway through the opening period.

But once Powell headed Weymouth back ahead moments later, the Conference South outfit never really looked in too much trouble.

The visitors got off to the perfect start when Macdonald netted his first goal for the club inside two minutes.

Winger Adam Wilde, playing a full 90 minutes for the first time since his return from injury, released Eribenne who sent over a perfect cross for the former Crawley Town man to tap home.

Defender Roy Q'Brien nearly doubled Weymouth's lead; with only some alert defending from Lewis Whyton clearing the danger.

At the other end, Chris Reader twice went close from decent positions before Portland got back on terms on 25 minutes.

Simon Browne was adjudged to have fouled Reader in the area and up stepped Nick Murray to net the resulting penalty.

But the Terras were back in front just five minutes later when Wilde's well-flighted corner was met by Powell who gave keeper Paul Gadsby no chance with a close-range header.

Mutch should have done better just before the break, firing well wide from a decent opening.

O'Brien burst from midfield but dragged his shot wide of Gadsby's upright midway through the second period as
'the visitors continued to press.

The flow was disrupted by a string of substitutions, with Terras replacement Ludovic Cadima heading Welch's cross just wide.

Portland's best chance to salvage a point came when Reader failed to trouble Ramos after a poor header by Ryan Hill.

The islanders were made to pay for their poor finishing when they fell further behind on 81 minutes.

Gadsby did well to make a double save from Chris Skinner and Eribenne before the latter made no mistake netting the loose ball at the third attempt.

And it was 4-1 on 85 minutes when veteran defender Simon Browne capped the night by firing home from close range.

Weymouth : Ramos, Thomas, Welch, Hill, Browne, O'Brien, Powell, Carmichael, Eribenne, Macdonald, Wilde.

Subs : Wilkinson, Hutchinson, Cadima (for Macdonald), Evans, Skinner (for Powell)

Portland United : Gadsby, Cranny, Wbyton, Dennis, D Skelton, B Skelton, Doidge, Turrell, Murray, Mutch, Reader.

Subs : Walker (for Doidge), Lambert, Wisden (for Murray), Williams, Kelly (for Dennis)