Ten-man Terras hang on For Victory
By Matt Pitman

Monday 2nd May 2005

Brian Dutton's first half header secured a final day win for ten-man Weymouth over St Albans City at the Wessex Stadium.

The midfielder nodded home Shaun Wilkinson's looping free kick before his side needed a determined defensive effort once defender Bradley Thomas was sent off.

The former Peterborough centre half was given his marching orders on the stroke of half time for two bookings.

After that setback, the Terras faced virtual constant pressure from the Hertfordshire outfit.

But Garry Hill's side survived the test to claim another victory; their sixth in eight games since the manager's appointment.

The three points sees Weymouth end a turbulent campaign in seventh spot in Conference South, above rivals Dorchester Town on goal difference.

And considering all the off-the-field sagas at Radipole Lane over the past few months, finishing just two points off the play-offs must surely be regarded as a considerable achievement.

Hill now faces a busy summer deciding which players to keep and who to recruit as he aims to succeed where so many others have failed in recent years.

But while the future of many of his players remains uncertain, one thing was clear in the win over St Albans.

Hill has instilled a new sense of determination in his players who stood firm defensively despite severe pressure from the visitors.

Once Dutton latched on to Wilkinson's cross to head past keeper Paul Bastock on 14 minutes, Weymouth battled for the points as if their lives depended on it.

Despite hogging possession for much of the 90 minutes, St Albans rarely tested home keeper Jason Matthews.

Northern Ireland under-21 international striker Lee Clarke wasted their best chance, heading over from close range when unmarked moments after Dutton's goal.

Darren Wheeler nearly made it two for Weymouth when Bastock tipped his low drive wide after a striding run.

It took a decent recovery from former Terra Dean Hooper to prevent his old club going further ahead as Jackson looked to sprint through midway through the half.

Another former Weymouth player, striker Kezie The, created a decent opening for St Albans which ended with Matthews saving from Clarke.

Seconds before the interval, the hosts were down to ten men when Thomas lost possession and fouled Scott Cousins to receive his second yellow card.

Hill withdrew striker Charlie Macdonald at half time, opting to try and sit on the lead and frustrate the visitors.

And that move paid off as the game degenerated into a scrappy affair littered with fouls and minor stoppages.

Matthews did well to beat Ibe to former Dorchester star Matt Hann's through ball, while at the other end Weymouth felt they were denied a cast iron penalty when Matt Bound appeared to be hauled back by Gary Elphick.

St Albans continued to enjoy much of the play but some good defending; notably by Dutton and Roy O'Brien, snuffed out any chances that fell their way.

And with City fast running out of ideas, the Terras appeared content to simply sit back and run down the clock to secure the win.

The final whistle saw the home players parade the Wessex Stadium pitch to receive a standing ovation from the fans.

And poignantly; last to leave were two of the club's most loyal servants in recent years, Simon Browne and Ian Hutchinson, marking what may prove their final Weymouth appearance.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Roy Q'Brien, Simon Browne, Matt Bound, Bradley Thomas, Brian Dutton, Steve Clark, Shaun Wilkinson, Kirk Jackson, Darren Wheeler, Charlie Macdonald.

Subs : Adam Wilde (for Wheeler 58mins), Ludovic Cadima, lan Hutchinson (for Macdonald 45mins), Charlie Welch, Francisco Ramos.

St Albans City : Paul Bastock, Dean Hooper, Scott Cousins, Tom Davis, Chris Seeby, Gary Elphick, Matt Hann, Ram Marwa, Kezie Ibe, Lee Clarke. Ben Walshe.

Subs : Gavin Tomlin (for Ibe 83mins), Chris Zoricich. Nick Roddis. Tom Beach, Ben Martin (for Walshe 83mins).

Referee : Jarnes Evarny (Liphook)

Bookings :

Weymouth : Thomas (foul), Wilkinson (foul). sending off - Thomas (second booking)

St Albans City : Hann (dissent), Clarke(fouij; Hooper (dissent), Elphick (foul).