Elam grounds the Rooks
By Nigel Biddlecoombe

Monday 12th December 2005

GARRY Hill's all-conquering Weymouth made it nine straight league wins with a comfortable victory at Lewes.

Despite the scoreline, the Dorset side were always in command at the Dripping Pan and could easily have notched plenty more goals.

And like so often in the last couple of months, winger Lee Elam was star of the show.

The former Yeovil Town player took a battering throughout from the Rooks' no-nonsense defenders.

But Elam survived all the heavy challenges and gave Lewes the run-around in front of the hosts' biggest crowd of the season.

Weymouth took a giant stride towards making it 12 league games unbeaten by going two up inside the opening half hour.

The visitors controlled most of the early possession and created plenty of chances, with Elam and fellow winger Darren Wheeler instrumental.

Recalled striker Chukki Eribenne missed a great opening to put the Terras ahead before Elam's effort from Wheeler's cross was saved by home keeper Paul Wilkerson.

When Hill's team did take the lead on 23 minutes, it was no surprise Elam played a part in the opener.

The winger was found space down the left and was clattered by ex-Terra Dean Hooper as he crossed.

But Elam got the last laugh as his centre fell kindly for Eribenne who flicked home from close range.

Lewes struggled to make any impact early on and they were reeeling when they fell further behind moments later.

Elam was fouled by Mark Wright down the right flank and from Wheeler's resulting free kick, skipper Matt Bound sent a cracking header past Wilkerson.

The goal made it three in three games for the former Southampton defender.

It seemed Weymouth would coast to the points at this stage but Lewes were given a lifeline on 34 minutes

Wayward

Steve Tully was adjudged to have pushed Mo Harkin in the area and hot-shot Jean Michel Sigere sent keeper Jason Matthews the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Terras' defence dealt comfortably enough with whatever was thrown at them before the break after that, although Amos Foyewa had a header go close.

Rooks' defender Hooper wasted a good opportunity to score against his old club after the interval, but his wayward shot ended up in Eastbourne!

Then Weymouth deservedly restored their two-goal advantage when the excellent Trevor Challis found Eribenne.

The striker released Shaun Wilkinson, who had earlier been booked, and the midfielder coolly fired right-footed across Wilkerson and into the net.

It was nearly 4-1 moments later when Wheeler's mis-hit cross-cum-shot drifted just wide as the visitors were still in command.

Elam was continuing to toy with the home defenders who took out their frustrations on the talented winger.

Wright and then Steve Robinson were both booked for crude challenges on the man nicknamed Bestie.

Wilkinson nearly grabbed his second after Elam and Wheeler combined to release the midfielder midway through the half.

Lewes fashioned the occas-ional chance but never really looked like getting back in it at this point.

But Steve King's Rooks reduced the arrears with ten minutes left in fortuitous circumstances.

Foyewa found Sigere, who has been in a rich vein of form recently, who fired in a shot in a crowded area.

Keeper Matthews appeared unsighted and was left red-faced as the ball squirmed under his body and into the unguarded net.

Despite that blow and now only a one-goal lead, Weymouth's hold on the three points was never in danger in the closing minutes.

Hill's visitors continued to boss possession, particularly through Elam and Wheeler, as the Terras ran down the clock to extend their winning run.