Terras march on
By Ben Steppel

Monday 10th April 2006

THE Aintree fences weren't the only difficult obstacles to overcome on Grand National day.

A trip to Bognor Regis Town could have been as tricky as Becher's Brook for Conference South title-chasers Weymouth.

But just like Numbersixvalverde at Liverpool, the Terras did a thoroughly professional job at Nyewood Lane to remain two points clear at the top of the table.

After a lively opening quarter, Terras scored twice in two minutes, virtually finishing the match as a contest.

On 27 minutes, Raphael Nade turned Kevin Murphy wide on the edge of the area, Murphy dived in to challenge needlessly, and Nade hit the deck.

There was little surprise when the referee pointed to the spot, although it is debatable how much contact was actually made.

Weymouth captain Matt Bound stepped up, and thumped in the penalty low to Rocks' keeper Craig Stoner's right.

Terras had the lead their early play probably merited.

Just two minutes later, Murphy's partner in central defence, Chris Breach was horribly caught in possession by Chukki Eribenne, who robbed him efficiently, raced through unchallenged, and fired past Stoner from the edge of the box.

Maybe that margin was a little harsh on Bognor, but you have to praise Weymouth's clinical finishing, obviously one of the reasons why they are top of the table.

The two-goal advantage gained, Terras switched into autopilot and cruised to victory.

The visitors should have added a third on 36 minutes, when Nade volleyed over from ten yards, after Eribenne beat Murphy to a header.

Stoner had kept his side in the game on two occasions previously.

After just four minutes, Elam went on the break down the left, but the keeper pounced on his effort from close range.

Elam also had a strike from the edge of the box, having gone on the run from an Eribenne flick, only to see his shot held by the gloveman in his midriff.

Bognor had few sights of the Weymouth goal. Dan Beck met Richard Hudson's cross with a diving header, but was adjudged offside, and Rocks may have felt they should have had a penalty of their own when Roy O'Brien appeared to have a handful of Luke Nightingale's shirt at a Hudson corner.

The only other time Bognor forced Terras keeper Arran LeeBarrett into action was on 38 minutes when Hudson's 30-yard free-kick was on target, but held under the bar.

If Rocks were to get anything from the game, then an early goal in the second half was necessary.

However, they lacked the creativity and composure to cause Weymouth any problems, and it was Garry Hill's team who were more likely to score again, although their forays into Bognor territory were tempered with the intention to kill the little threat Rocks posed.

Bognor managed only two shots on target, with. Dan Beck and Jodey Rowland' extending LeeBarrett into saves, while Weymouth were content to sit on their lead and continue their march towards the Conference National.