Craig's cracker
By Matt Pitman

Monday 28th November 2005

SUBSTITUTE Craig O'Connor came off to bench to fire Weymouth to FA Trophy third qualifying round success over Havant and Waterlooville.

The striker warmed the home faithful at a freezing Wessex Stadium by hammering his second goal in three games since moving from Thurrock.

Acrobatic O'Connor greeted his 71st minute winner with a series of somersaults as the Terras edged this meeting of Conference South's two form teams.

But while the former Maidenhead United top scorer will no doubt receive the plaudits, Weymouth owe a huge debt of thanks to keeper Jason Matthews.

He made a string of fine saves including a stunning late stop to deny Hawks substitute Byron Harrison a second equaliser of the afternoon and a deserved replay.

Former Havant star Shaun Wilkinson earlier fired the Terras into a seventh minute lead in what was a scrappy contest.

Last time out Garry Hill's men faced Nottingham Forest in the big FA Cup replay watched by a full-house at Radipole Lane.

The Wessex Stadium terraces were far less' populated here, the attendance was 5,500 fewer than that night, but this cup tie was no less competitive.

As is usual in clashes between Weymouth and Havant, both sets of players gave everything in what was a full blooded clash.

Hill resisted the temptation to ring the changes ahead of a busy period of league action, preferring only Simon Downer ahead of Roy O'Brien in defence.

Any thoughts the Terras priorities may have been elsewhere were dispelled when they took the lead on seven minutes.

Impressive workhorse Lee Elam jinked past a couple of visiting defenders and crossed for Kirk Jackson at the far post.

The striker did well to bicycle kick back across goal and there was the alert Wilkinson to slam home from six yards.

Havant, unbeaten in seven league games, were almost back on terms immediately when Brett Poate's free kick was saved smartly by keeper Jason Matthews.

Chukki Eribenne nearly became the second former Havant star on the scoresheet moments later but was denied by a last-ditch challenge by the excellent Tom Jordan, son of ex Manchester United star Joe Jordan.

Terras skipper Matt Bound curled a first-time effort well wide from distance before the contest degenerated into a scrappy midfield battle.

Referee Mike Halford became the busiest man on the park in the opening half, having to keep a close eye on Wilkinson and Havant midfielder Guy LopezDacruz as they took part in a niggly battle.

Eribenne's drive from the edge of the area was parried by visiting keeper Colin Matthews as half time neared.

Seconds before the interval exTerra Robbie Pethick, who was withdrawn at half-time, nearly equaliser after latching on to Jordan's flick.

The midfielder burst into the host's area but his shot was spectacularly pushed away by Matthews.

It was a sign of what was to come from the former Exeter City keeper after the interval.

Havant dangerman Rocky Baptiste wasted a golden opportunity just after the restart.

The striker got on the end of Matthews' huge punted clearance but, just six yards out, tamely shot into the arms of the grateful Weymouth keeper.

The Terras struggled to show any real fluency going forward with only Elam performing anywhere near his best.

His wing colleague Steve Clark was withdrawn after struggling, his substitution greeted by ironic cheers from sections of the home support.

Weymouth should have sealed their first round place when Eribenne hassled keeper Matthews from his area, only for Jackson to blaze over from six yards with an open goal.

Just eight minutes later the Hawks made the home side pay for their wasteful finishing when Poate's cross found substitute Harrison who crashed home from 12 yards.

The setback prompted Hill to make changes and one of his substitutes O'Connor took just five minutes to make an impact.

After Poate nearly fired Havant ahead, Weymouth broke and Jackson and Wilkinson combined to release O'Connor.

The striker hustled last-man Jordan before he drilled past Matthews and into the far corner from 15 yards.

Late on Havant threw man forward to try and find a deserved equaliser.

The Hampshire outfit were frustrated when an excellent Downer challenge foiled Baptiste, then keeper Matthews produced his wonder-save.

A long-ball into a crowded box caused confusion and fell kindly to the unmarked Harrison six yards out.

It seemed the substitute was set to notch his second and a dramatic late equaliser.

But Matthews had other ideas and flew across his goal, raised his left arm and turned Harrison's effort around the post to keep Weymouth ahead.