Simons stunning start
By Matt Pitman

Monday 17th July 2006

WEYMOUTH opened their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth, thanks to a quickfire double from Simon Weatherstone.

The midfielder, a summer arrival from Stevenage Borough, beat Cherries keeper Gareth Stewart twice from 20 yards within three second half minutes at the Wessex Stadium.

Weatherstone was one of a host of new Terras to impress against Sean O'Driscoll's Coca-Cola League One rivals.

Winger Nick Crittenden, central defender Tony James and striker Richard Logan all stood out, with fellow new boys Ashley Vickers, Marcus Richardson and Dean Howell also making debut appearances.

And Weatherstone's goals capped an excellent first workout for Garry Hill's men who saw off a Cherries side featuring all their star names.

Terras midfielder Ben Smith went close early on before striker Wayne Purser, back in action after a long injury lay-off, screwed a shot just wide.

Chances

After Purser went close again, home keeper Jason Matthews dived low to deny Luke Maitland from six yards out.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between although half-time substitute Chukki Eribenne did nearly send Weymouth ahead with a swivelled shot just after the break.

Then came Weatherstone's opener on 59 minutes - he seized on a headed clearance from Cherries defender Karl Broadhurst and drilled home from the edge of the area.

Moments after the restart, the midfielder made it two when his deflected low shot from 20 yards beat the helpless Stewart.

Whule Bournemouth only managed one shot on target all afternoon, the Terras nearly made it three late on.

Eribenne went close after exchanging passes with Logan and then lashed high and wide after rolling marker Connor Franklin.