Saturday October 9th 2004

LEE Charles fired his first Weymouth goal to give Steve Claridge's side three crucial Nationwide South points at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The former Aldershot Town midfielder slammed home a 54th minute winner against the Motormen as the Terras claimed their second consecutive
clean-sheet.

Charles' solitary strike settled a contest in which there were only a handful of clear-cut chances.

Despite both teams playing some decent football, in the end it was the Dorset side who had that extra quality to gain a deserved win.

And just as pleasing for Claridge was another solid performance from his defence, marshalled superbly by the impressive Steve Tully and Simon Browne.

Last weekend's FA Cup win over Dorchester gave Weymouth a massive shot in the arm and the Terras continued where they left off in that one during the early exchanges.

The hungry hosts signalled their intentions by almost taking the lead inside 180 seconds.

Chukki Eribenne set off on a trademark powerful run in the left channel and fed Claridge whose cross was inches away from reaching on-rushing skipper Paul Buckle.

Weymouth were a coat of paint away from going ahead on five minutes.

Agony

A decent build up involving Martin Barlow and Claridge ended with Charles whipping over a wicked cross from the right flank.

The well-flighted ball found Adam Wilde at the far post who did everything right with his downward header.

But the former Worcester City star watched in agony as the ball crashed against the bottom of Ashley Harrison's post.

Lee Philpott saw a first-time effort blocked by the alert Craig Edwards before Redbridge started to find their feet.

Excellent winger Yohance Lewis curled just wide and his team-mate Edwards also went close soon after.

But despite plenty of huff and puff, neither side could find what was needed in the final third.

Wilde sent a well-flighted free-kick from the edge of the box inches over the top midway through the half.

It took some defending from the top drawer to prevent the Terras getting their noses in front as Lewis pulled off a superb challenge on Buckle as he pulled the trigger inside the box.

Home keeper Francisco Ramos, making his Wessex Stadium debut, did well just before the break to save from Ben Lewis after a swift counter.

The half ended with both sides sending zipping drives narrowly wide, Buckle for Weymouth and Murray for the visitors.

The hosts were furious with lines- man Chris Brokenshaw five minutes
after the restart when they felt the Portland-based official cost them th<
lead.

Browne's powerful header was saved by Harrison only for the keeper to seemingly fall backwards over his own line.

But with Weymouth players wheeling away, Brokenshaw cut short their celebrations by claiming the ball did not cross the line.

It took only another four minutes though for the Terras to get on the scoresheet when Wilde, Claridge and Eribenne combined to set up Charles at the far post.

The former QPR man pulled it down beautifully, cut inside and rifled past Harrison.

The goal stung Redbridge into action in search of an equaliser and they spent much of the final stages camped inside the home half.

Ex-Yeovil Town man Glen Poole had a powerful effort tipped over by Ramos as they started to step up the pressure.

The nearest the home side came to increasing their lead in the closing stages came when Eribenne streaked away after Browne's through ball but chipped wide.

Home fans had their hearts in their mouths in stoppage time when Allan McLeod whipped in a dangerous free-kick from the left flank.

His delivery evaded everyone in a crowded box but flashed inches wide of Ramos' goal, to the relief of the hosts.

Weymouth: Francisco Ramos, Steve Tully, Simon Browne, Martin Barlow, Dave Waterman, Lee Charles, Paul Buckle, ChukkI Eribenne, Steve Claridge, Lee Philpott, Adam Wilde

Subs: Lee Phillips (for Eribenne 83mins), Robbie Pethick, Ian Hutchinson (for Wilde 67mins), Nathan Bunce, Paul Gibbs (for Philpott 83mins)

Redbridge: Asheley Harrison, Ben Lewis, Allan McLeod, Chirs Perkins, Richard Halle, Yohance Lewis, Alex Fiddis, Graig Edwards, Andy Douglas, Glen Poole, Jay Murry

Subs: Kevin Stephens, D'Jourmin Sangare, Helder Valdes (for Douglas 89mins), Liam Francis, David Bull

Referee: William Bull (Southampton)

Bookings:

Weymouth: none

Cambridge City: Muuray 47 (foul)