Weston-super-Terras
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Thursday 23rd February 2006

WEYMOUTH bounced back from the surprise home defeat to Farnborough in style at Weston-super-Mare last night.

The Terras raced into a three-goal lead at Woodspring Stadium with strikes from Ben Smith, Raphael Nade and Kirk Jackson.

The crucial victory was a good night's work for Garry Hill's fulltimers whose line-up contained five changes from the one defeated by Farnborough last weekend.

There was no place in the starting eleven for new signing Dean Holdsworth or Chukki Eribenne, with Jackson and Nade preferred up front.

The partnership seemed to click almost instantly as the visitors dominated the opening 45 minutes, enjoying a hatful of chances.

Skipper Matt Bound had the first of these, heading just wide from a corner by Shaun Wilkinson, also making a return to the line-up.

Weymouth survived an early scare when Darren Hawkins netted for the Seagulls only to have his effort ruled out for offside, before returning to the front foot.

Smith, who was outstanding for Terras, fed Nade who slipped past defender Craig Rand and set-up Jackson but the striker miskicked and the chance went begging.

Loanee Nade was next to try his luck after being found by Clark but the Carlisle United asset blazed over from close range.

Weston's first effort on goal came when debutee John Williams worked some space and crossed for ex-Terra Marvin Brown, but his shot was well wide.

Seagulls' keeper Ryan Northmore saved twice from Jackson as the Weymouth pressure continued to build before the Terras broke the deadlock with a cracker on 18 minutes.

Winger Clark laid the ball to Smith who gave Northmore no chance from 25-yards with an unstoppable shot.

After the opener, all the pressure remained with the visitors as Nade went close with a couple of headers before Jackson was denied by a superb Northmore save.

The Terras doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Clark hit a crossfield ball which Jackson headed into the path of Smith.

The former Shrewsbury midfielder beat his marker and put in a cross which Scott Walker failed to clear and Nade was on hand to tap in the loose ball.

After the excellent Smith had provided Nade with a good opportunity, which the striker pulled narrowly wide, it was 3-0 on 37 minutes.

Nade released Clark who set off on a lightning run down the flank, beating substitute Andy Robertson, and crossing for Jackson to neatly swivel and find the net.

Seemingly dead and buried, Weston pulled one back three minutes before the break when Walker fed Mark McKeever whose cross was seized on by Brown who turned Simon Downer and drove past Terras keeper Jason Matthews.

After a storming first half, Weymouth had no thoughts of sitting back on their lead following the interval.

Wilkinson, Clark and Jackson all had chances to make it 4-1 within minutes of the restart.

The Terras enjoyed plenty of possession as the Seagulls pressed but rarely troubled the visitors defence.

Smith, who had troubled Weston all night, limped off after 50 minutes, to be replaced by John McGrath, and Weymouth seemed to lose a little of their shape.

Nevertheless as the game drew on there seemed never to be any danger that Hill's men wouldn't end the night back on top of the table.

The one moment of danger for Weymouth came when McKeever jinked his way down the right .but was closed down with nine minutes left.