Terras hit back to salvage a point
By Matt Pitman

Thursday 16th September

WEYMOUTH continued their Nationwide South revival after fighting back from two goals, to down to claim a deserved point at Weston-super-Mare last night.

Hot-shot Marc McGregor and a Nathan Bunce own goal put the hosts into a commanding early lead to leave the Terras looking certain to suffer their second defeat in seven games.

But the determined visitors hit back before the break through Chukki Eribenne and Weston's Bradley Thomas diverting past his own keeper.

And after hauling themselves level, Steve Claridge's charges can count themselves mighty unlucky not to have claimed a second successive win on the road.

Defender Robbie Pethick and winger Adam Wilde stood out as Weymouth,
who lost striker Lee Phillips to injury late on, took the game by the scruff of the neck with some slick passing and wing play.

But the Dorset side could not find a winner despite some severe pressure
and Eribenne firing against the bar.

Weston super-Mare may be rocked by financial problems, having placed their entire squad on the transfer list,but they showed no signs of that turmoil early on.

And it took just 55 seconds for star turn McGregor to once again show
why he is so highly-rated.

The Nationwide South August player of the month, who Claridge tried to sign earlier this year, got on the end of Lewis Hogg's low cross and sweetly side footed past debutant keeper Terry Masterson.

Less than three minutes later the Millwall loanee was nearly picking the
ball from his net again.

Pethick's slip let in David Gilroy who took a couple of strides before thumping a drive against the bar.

After that early blow, Weymouth improved as Weston keeper Ryan Northmore turned over skipper Paul Buckle's shot and defender Bunce headed over.

How the Terras did not equalise on 31 minutes will remain one of life's great mysteries.

Powerful Eribenne, who caused the home side no end of problems, slipped in Phillips 12 yards with just Northmore to beat.

The Cornishman did the hard work but agonisingly saw his shot flash inches wide and crash into advertising hoardings behind the goal.

And Frank Gregan's organised team made Weymouth pay for that miss less than a minute later.

Veteran Stuart Slater and Jonathan French combined for the latter to send over a skidding low cross, only for Runce to divert the ball past Masterson at the far post.

But Claridge's side responded in determined fashion and pulled one back within eight minutes when Steve Tully got down the right and sent over a cross which Eribenne headed past Northmore.

Suddenly the pendulum swung in the Terras favour and the equaliser came in stoppage time.

Lee Philpott fired in a wicked inswinging corner which substitute Thomas diverted home at his near post under pressure by the lurking Simon Browne and Phillip.

Eribenne almost sent Weymouth ahead straight from the restart when he pounced on a loose ball, lobbed Northmore from a tight angle but saw his effort cannon off the bar.

With Wilde impressive down the left and Tully back to his best on the opposite flank, the home side continually found themselves on the back foot.

It took some desperate defending to keep out Philips while the Terras were grateful McGregor and Gilroy collided with each other midway through the half.

The contest was delayed for six minutes late on after Philips' injury, which later proved to be medial leigament damage.

But there was still time for both sides to come close to securing the maximum haul.

Another excellent Wilde run ended with the formor Worcester City winger's cushioned ball rolling agonisingly across goal.

And McGregor should have won it for Weston just before time when the unmarked striker headed wide from Hogg's excellent cross.