Monday November 15th 2004

STEVE Johnson won the battle of the new bosses as he got his Weymouth reign off to the perfect start with a highly-impressive 3-0 win at Nationwide South strugglers St Albans City.

With Stuart Cash taking his place in the City dugout for the first time since being appointed manager on Tuesday and in front of the biggest crowd at Clarence Park this season, the match had all the makings of a competitive and entertaining encounter.

However goals from Adam Wilde, Paul Buckle and Lee Phillips saw the Terras to a comfortable victory.

The visitors started brightly and should have taken the lead on 19 minutes after a swift interchange between Phillips and Kirk Jackson - making his debut after signing from Hornchurch midweek - in the City box but Phillips
saw his effort from eight yards tipped over by keeper John Armand.

However, Weymouth did take the lead 14 minutes later after a howler from former Terras and City captain Dean Hooper.

In his own penalty area, Hooper attempted to casually play a sideways pass to ex-Dorchester man Matt Hann but Wilde intercepted and slotted low past Armand into the far left-hand corner.

The goal stung City into action but in a frenetic final five first-half minutes Nathan Bunce cleared Miguel De Souza's fierce shot from the edge of the area off the goal-line before Terras keeper Jason Mathews was called into
action twice; tipping over Tom Beech's curling effort and then diving bravely at the feet of Hann.

City continued to enjoy the better of the play after the break before Weymouth clinically broke on the 54th minute to effectively end the match as a contest.

Phillips picked up the ball down the left and made for the by-line before whipping over a delightful ball to the back post where the unmarked Paul Buckle headed home from six yards.

Nathan Bunce headed a Shaun Wilkinson corner over the crossbar as the visitors looked to add to their tally before Phillips deservedly got his name on the score-sheet.

Again, Weymouth broke down the left-hand side and Wilde flicked inside for Phillips who beat Armand to the ball and toe-poked past the keeper from
eight yards.

An Adam Parker header rebounded back off the post before Hann fired a yard wide of Matthews' goal as City strived for a late consolation but Weymouth comfortably held out for the three points.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Steve Tully, Nathan Bunce, Matt Bound, Dave Waterman, Paul Buckle (Simon Browne 86mins), Ian Hutchinson (Stewart Yetton 75mins), Martin Barlow (Shaun Wilkinson 56mins), Adam Wilde, Kirk Jackson, Lee Phillips

Subs not used : Paul Gibbs, Francisco Ramos

St Albans City : John Armand, Dean Hooper, Miguel De Souza, Ben Martin (Chris Seeby 27mins), Scott Cousins, Matt Hann, Ram Marwa, Adam Parker, Ben Walshe (Gary Wraight 56mins), Lee Clarke, Tom Beech (Matt Nolan 61mins)

Subs not used : Mel Capleton, Nick Roddis

Referee : Mr G Scott

Bookings :

Weymouth : None

St Albans City : Dean Hooper (7mins, Matt Hann (13mins)