Champion show as Terras clinch title
By Matt Pitman

Monday 1st May 2006

THE threat of a points penalty against Weymouth proved irrelevant on a day when everything went right for Garry Hill's Conference South champions.

Not only did the Terras round off their superb season with a win over ten-man
Lewes, but nearest rivals St Albans crashed to a shock defeat at home to Weston-super-Mare.

First half goals from strikers Raphael Nade and Kirk Jackson got the promotion party in full swing in front of a 4,000-plus Wessex Stadium crowd.

As captain Matt Bound lifted the league trophy to roars of delight from the long-suffering home fans, Hill's heroes enjoyed an eight-point lead over St Albans at the season's close.

That advantage means even if four points are docked over the Solomon Taiwo affair, the title remains Weymouth's and leaves supporters relishing the prospect
of clashes with the likes of Stevenage Borough, Exeter City, Hereford and Rushden next season.

Opponents Lewes; whose late arrival delayed kick off by 15 min-utes, headed to Dorset having been barred from this season's play-offs despite qualifying on merit.

And the Sussex visitors never looked like disrupting the championship celebrations despite spending the early stages diving into challenges with ex-Terra Dean Hooper booked by referee James Linnington for clattering home striker Kirk Jackson.

After seeing the matchball delivered by terra-cotta and blue clad parachutists, the hosts pressed from the off and the all-important opening goal arrived with their
first shot on target after 17 minutes.

One-time Terras target Paul Kennett took out home defender Simon Downer as he galloped down the right and threatened to cross.

Shaun Wilkinson swung over the resulting free kick and there was Nade at the far post to power home his header past keeper Aarron France.

The vital opener was greeted with a huge sigh of relief from the terraces and things got even better for the hosts a couple of minutes later.

A superb piece of trickery by Nade on half-way fooled Lewes defender Leon Legge who dived in and fouled the home striker right in front of the Weymouth dugout.

Legge's reckless challenge prompted a bundle among both sets of players and once things clamed down, referee Linington had no hesitation in showing the defender a straight red card.

Lewes manager Steve King followed his player moments later for taking his complaints about the decision too far.

Playing against ten men, the odds were now firmly in Weymouth's favour and they continued to do all the running.

Wilkinson's header from Lee Elam's crossed lacked power and was comfortably saved by France before Hill's champions made it 2-0 on 26 minutes.

Elam started the move on half-way, sending Trevor Challis away down the left.

His neat ball inside found Ben Smith who clipped a cross for the unmarked Jackson to nod past France and seal the championship.

Fizzed

By now it was party time on the terraces and the action for the rest of the half typified that fact.

Without having to really break sweat, Elam fizzed a shot into the side-netting and Jackson headed a good chance straight at France.

Smith and Nade both had chances to extend Weymouth's lead after the restart before the latter missed what by his usual standards was a sitter on the hour.

Challis's ball over the top saw Nade beat the flat-footed Lewes off-side trap and run on only to see France save his first effort:

The ball rebounded kindly for the Carlisle United asset whose follow-up was blocked on the line by Hooper. Jackson then nearly scrambled home a third from close range as Lewes continued to look resigned to defeat.

The visitors did however briefly threaten when Roy O'Brien sliced Mo Harkin's cross, forcing home keeper Aaron Lee-Barrett to punch from under his own bar.

Apart from that, the last half hour resembled a pre-season friendly as anticipation built for the trophy presentation.

Chairman Martyn Harrison got in on the act early, waving an inflatable trophy as fans chanted his name.

On the pitch, Elam nearly settled the issue but his goal-bound shot was deflected over by last-man Robinson.

With the clock counting down, Hill made three changes including giving a run-out to substitute keeper Jason Matthews.

Then came news of the result all Terras fans wanted - St Albans had lost meaning the championship was a certainty.

With seconds left, Nade wasted two opportunities to round off the superb day in the history of Weymouth Football Club.

First keeper France tipped his rasping drive on to his crossbar, then he saved the striker's header at point-blank range following Smith's centre.

But none of that mattered as the final whistle blew seconds later and the championship celebrations started again - and this time for real.