Wheeler's a wonder
By Matt Pitman

Wednesday 27th April 2005

CLASSY Weymouth cruised to a comfortable win at Sutton United in their final
Conference South away game of the season last night.

The Terras romped home at Gander Green Lane to make it back-to-back
victories on the road for Garry Hill's men.

While strikers Vill Powell and Charlie Macdonald again netted, chief architect of the fine success was opening scorer Darren Wheeler.

The 21-year-old winger is fast becoming a firm favourite at the Wessex Stadium and further cemented his blossoming reputation with another excellent performance.

Incredibly, this win means Weymouth go into the final day of the season at home to St Albans on Saturday with an outside possibility of reaching the play-offs.

While only the most optimistic fan will hold much hope of that happening, the fact the Terras are still in with a shout shows just how things have turned around under Hill.

The former Hornchurch boss must be rueing the fact he wasn't appointed at Radipole Lane a few weeks sooner. If he had, chances are Weymouth would be preparing for a play-off promotion showdown next month.

As promised, Hill made a couple of changes from the winning side at Hayes at the weekend.

Chukki Eribenne and the excellent Wheeler replaced rested pair Kirk Jackson and Macdonald.

And the recalled duo both played a key part in firing the Terras ahead after just eight minutes.

Eribenne, who was withdrawn injured midway through the opening period, crossed from the right flank for Wheeler who fired past Sutton
keeper Andy Iga from 18-yards.

Wheeler, instrumental to nearly everything produced by Hill's side, nearly grabbed his second moments later after Powell's flick.

Sutton, relieved after staving off any threat of relegation last weekend, struggled to make any serious headway although Matt Gray tested visiting keeper Jason Matthews.

Lively winger Steve Clark nearly made it two for the Terras- as the Dorset side threatened more goals. Weymouth grabbed a deserved second on 24 minutes after more impressive wing play by the on-fire Wheeler.

The former Godalming and Guildford star skipped past marker Lewis Gonsalves and sent over a cross for Powell to poke home from close range.

The hosts threw caution to the wind in a bid to get back into the contest, as
loan striker Jermaine Hunter wriggled free and saw a decent effort saved
by Matthews.

Things could have been even better for Weymouth at the break as Jackson
fired just over after a teasing Clark centre.

Just as at Hayes, Shaun Wilkinson's delicious corners were proving a dan-
gerous weapon for the visitors.

And it was from one of a string of inch-perfect flag kicks Iga saved well from Jackson moments after the restart.

There were few nervy defensive moments for the visitors, as Matthews had to get his knees dirty to save from Gray.

Looking comfortable at two goals up, Weymouth appeared happy to take their foot off the gas although they created openings to go further ahead. Wheeler shot over before setting up Clark to test Iga on the hour.

Loan striker Powell was replaced by Macdonald and after initially having a goalbound effort blocked, the former Crawley Town frontman sealed the
win in the last few moments.

The hard-working Jackson worked some space before sending over a cross for Macdonald to bundle home for his third goal in successive appearances.

Weymouth : Jason Matthews, Roy O'Brien, Simon Browne, Matt Bound, Bradley Thomas, Brian Dutton, Steve Clark, Shaun Wilkinson, Chukki Eribenne, Darren Wheeler, Vill Powell

Subs : Kirk Jackson (for Eribenne 21 mins), Charlie Macdonald
(for Powell 62mins), Ian Hutchinson, Charlie Wetch, Francisco Ramos.

Sutton United : Andy Iga, Matt Gray, Lewis Gonsalves, Ryan Palmer, Nigel Brake, Scott Corbett, Craig Watkins, Paul Honey, Joff Vansittart, Jermaine Hunter, Eddie Akuamoah

Subs : Chris Nurse (for Honey 25mins), Steve Douglas, Jon Hewitt
(for Vansittart 83mins); Phil Wilson.

Referee : Paul Martin