Terras silence the Lambs
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Wednesday 28th March 2007

WEYMOUTH were shot down by a Rhys Day winner at a highly-charged Recreation Ground last night.

Aldershot started the match on a wave of emotion after outgoing manager Tony Brown had addressed the crowd.

The Terras, who started with an unchanged line-up from Saturday’s victory over Tamworth, were forced to defend in numbers early on.

The Shots first effort on goal rebounded from an upright as early as the second minute after Tony James and Ashley Vickers had collided to leave Ryan Williams in space.

His cross was met by Anthony Charles, whose first-time effort rebounedd off the upright and was scrambled clear.

Just two minutes later Jason Matthews pulled off a superb save to deny Jonny Dixon after the Aldershot man had been released by John Grant.

Weymouth’s first venture into their opponents’ half came in the eighth minute when Simon Weatherstone found Ishmael Welsh whose run was halted by a fine tackle from home skipper Darren Barnard at the expense of a corner.

A strong challenge from Tony James halted Barnard’s run in the 11th minute, earning the Terras a relieving free-kick as the home man pushed him.

Five minutes later Welsh picked up a loose ball and ran on to deliver a superb ball which fell to the feet of Conal Platt. Unfortunately his effort was easily saved by Nikki Bull.

The same player had another snap-shot in the 23rd minute, after a long kick by Matthews had been helped on by Nick Crittenden and Welsh, but his shot was easily held by Bull.

Williams had Matthews scrambling to save on 32 minutes after his effort had taken a deflection, but then the Terras broke through Welsh and Anton Robinson, but Robinson’s effort was held by Bull.

Aldershot did get the ball in the net after 36 minutes, but Williams’ effort was ruled out by the assistant referee’s flag as he was caught offside.

Stuart Beavon had the last chance of the first half when he broke free from his marker and made ground into the Shots’ half, he let fly from 35 yards, but his shot was always going up and flew well over the crossbar.

Scrambled

The second period started much the same as the first, with Aldershot pushing Weymouth back.

Following good work by Grant, Kirk Hudson was able to get a shot in, but the ball was scrambled away for the first of a succession of three corners.

It was Grant, again, who was able to put Williams free in the 49th minute, but his shot was easily held by Matthews.

Beavon and the hard working Crittenden made an opening for Weatherstone – in the 52nd minute, but his diving header was wide of the mark.

The home side broke the deadlock after 55 minutes when Williams’ corner travelled right across the area and fell to Anthony Charles.

The Shots’ midfield man chipped the ball back into the six-yard area and Rhys Day was on hand to head home unchallenged.

Grant should have doubled the advantage just two minutes later, but – after some good interplay between Mark Molesley and Karl Beckford – he shot wide from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.

Weatherstone was unlucky to be cautioned when – in the 65th minute – he challenged Bull for a loose ball, the referee awarded a free-kick (one of more than 30 awarded in a game without a real foul) and showed the Terras’ midfielder a yellow card.

Weatherstone’s was then substituted within 30 seconds, bringing Danny Phillips into the game.

Weymouth should have equalised six minutes later when Welsh beat two defenders and put Beavon in the clear on the edge of the penalty area, but the visiting striker delayed his shot and Bull was able to save.

Welsh was causing problems for the home side, along the right flank, and, on 88 minutes, he ran 30 yards with defenders in his wake before putting in a cross which was cleared for a corner.

Molesley had another good opportunity for Aldershot as the game drew to its close, but he dragged his shot well wide.

In the last moments Weymouth won a corner on the left side and they pushed ten players, including Matthews, into their opponents’ penalty area.

The corner was cleared and the Terras were forced to back
pedal to avoid conceding a second goal.

The move was stopped as the referee awarded yet another free kick and decided to caution Crittenden, thus giving the Weymouth keeper the chance to retreat back to his area.