Wilko's a winner
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Monday 17th April 2006

BATTLING Weymouth warmed up for today's crunch clash against St Albans with a crucial win at Yeading.

Garry Hill's Terras maintained their two-point advantage over the Saints courtesy of Shaun Wilkinson's second half header.

On a hard and bumpy surface at The Warren, the visitors may not have played much free-flowing football but their performance was certainly effective.

Some route one passing brought the best openings, while at the other end Weymouth's water-tight rearguard were commanding.

It was Yeading who began the brightly and within a minute, Bobby Behzadi's cross caused Terras keeper Aaron Lee-Barrett problems, but the Terras defence cleared the danger.

Chukki Eribenne and Andy Harris then had tame efforts from range for the visitors before Weymouth wasted another decent opening on ten minutes.

Midfielders Lee Elam and Ben Smith combined to find Trevor Challis who in turn released Elam but his shot was easy pickings for Ding keeper Delroy Preddie.

Terras suffered a blow on 20 minutes when Eribenne limped off injured, following a heavy challenge by Nevin Saroya, to be replaced by substitute Kirk Jackson.

The visitors pressure continued as a decent penalty shout for handball on Darious Charles, who appeared to punch the ball in the area under pressure from Jackson, was turned down.

Yeading nearly opened the scoring when Preddie's clearance found Ben Hudell whose long ball was seized on by striker Marvin Morgan.

He rounded defender Matt Bound and fired goalwards only for Lee-Barrettto save at fullstretch by his right-hand post.

As the interval approached Weymouth created several chances, but were unable to break the deadlock.

Jackson headed wide, loan striker Raphael Nade shot over and then fired wide after nice build up play by Andy Harris, Simon Downer and Jackson.

After the interval, Ding created the first opening when Nevin Saroya's long-range free kick was deflected for a corner.

The stalemate was eventually broken on 57 minutes with what could prove a vital goal for the Terras.

Charles' hasty clearance fell straight to Elam who, given a second opportunity to cross, this time sent a well-flighted centre into Wilkinson and the midfielder powered home an unstoppable header to send the huge Terras support into raptures.

With the tension now lessened, Weymouth began to play with more fluency.

Preddie was forced to back pedal to tip over Challis's cross, then Roy Q'Brien's diving hleader was scrambled away.

The home side were fortunate to escape unscathed when Preddie dallied too long on the ball and his clearance hit Nade.

The ball flew across the goalmouth, but no one was in position to take advantage.

Yeading brought on David Clarke for Ben Bowditch on 71 minutes and the replacement was immediately involved when he fouled Jackson on the edge of the area.

Up stepped Harris to take the free kick but Preddie was equal to the midfielder's efforts.

With time now slipping away, Yeading made further changes to try and get back in it but despite five minutes of stoppage time, resolute Weymouth held firm to clinch a vital three points.