Terras relived by last-gasp Tully
by Matt Pitman
Monday 25th October 2004
STEVE Tully fired a last minute winner as Weymouth began
life after Steve
Claridge with a win.
The impressive defender settled a scrappy Nationwide South contest
against basement boys Welling United.
And the Park View Road victory was the best possible start for
caretaker coach Paul Buckle who was given the job after Claridge's
sacking last week.
Tully capped an impressive performance by popping up right at
the death to clinch the points in a game drifting towards a
stalemate.
Claridge cited a run of bad luck after his departure - but the
manner of Weymouth's win indicated his former club's fortune
might be changing.
There was little quality on show in Kent as the stop-start game,
played in driving rain, was littered with free-kicks and stoppages.
In the end a trademark Tully run and a cool finish following
a lucky break was the only difference between these two confidence-hit
sides.
Given all the drama of Claridge's departure, it was perhaps
predictable the Terras would start things slowly.
The opening exchanges were mainly played in a congested midfield
where neither side could take the game by the scruff of the
neck.
It took 25 minutes for the first serious effort on goal when
Welling's Paul Booth slipped in Jamie Day who sliced wildly
over the top.
Recalled Terras keeper Jason Matthews responded well moments
later when he collected Day's zipping drive low at his right-hand
post.
Weymouth - being urged on by Buckle, Gary Borthwick and John
Waldock from the sidelines - soon hit back.
Hard-working Martin Barlow set up Lee Charles down the right
flank whose well-flighted cross was headed over by Shaun Wilkinson.
Moments before the break, Barlow sent a 25-yard piledriver arrowing
goalbound before loan defender Bradley Thomas' good block.
Things continued where they left off after the break
with both sides creating only a handful of half-chances.
Day's dangerous left wing cross just evaded Booth as he rushed
in at the far post.
Booth was fuming moments later when Tully escaped
unpunished after pulling the shirt of the frontman as he raced
through.
With rain continuing to lash down. Lee Phillips looped a header
over from Lee Philpott's free-kick.
Wings keeper James Pullen had to be on his toes on the hour
to push Wilkinson's nodded effort over the top.
The visitors took control during the final quarter as Tully,
switched from sweeper to wingback, drew a good save from Pullen.
The Terras player-of-the-year was instrumental again on 85 minutes.
He powered his way to the byline and his cross was deflected
by Thomas goalwards only for Pullen to change direction and
push behind.
But Tully eventually came good when he started and ended the
move which led to the winner on 89 minutes.
He slotted past Pullen after striding into the area and firing
home after defender Nathan Bunce got a touch on a loose ball.
Phillips thought he had made it two in stoppage time but had
a header ruled out for offside.
There were still a couple of nervous moments for Buckle and
the travelling Terras fans as Matthews did well to keep out
Lee Spiller's testing corner.
And more late drama was to follow as Welling striker Tyne received
his marching orders following a second yellow for dissent to
referee Colin Overall after the final whistle.
Weymouth: Jason Matthews,
Steve Tully, Dave Waterman, Nathan Bunce, Ian Hutchinson, Martin
Barlow, Lee Charles, Chukki Eribenne, Shaun Wilkinson, Lee Philpott,
Lee Phillips
Subs: Simon Browne, Francisco
Ramos, Paul Gibbs (for Wilkinson 62 mins), Adam Wilde, (for
Eribenne 67mins), Paul Buckle
Welling United: James Pullen, Kevin Watson, Sonny
Ball, James Smith, Bradley Thomas, Gareth Street, Danny Slatter,
Lee Spiller, Tommy Tyne, Paul Booth, Jamie Day
Subs: Goerge Lay (for Street
90mins), Tony Browne, Gary Carter
Referee:
Mr C Overall
Bookings:
Weymouth: none
Wel;lling United: Thomas (foul), Tyne (dissent)
Sent-off:
Welling United: Tyne (second bookable)
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