Brewers stunned by Beaver's bite
By Matt McGeehan

Monday 5th February 2007

AT half-time on Saturday, Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’ bellowed over the public address system at the Wessex Stadium.

It was looking ominous for Weymouth. The visitors Burton Albion, chasing promotion from the Nationwide Conference, were a goal up and the Terras’ financial predicament and threadbare squad meant that there would only be one result.

But the Brewers did not account for Weymouth’s never-say-die attitude as Stuart Beavon, on his first start for the club, scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a point – ‘The Great Escape’ should have been the record of choice at full-time.

The Terras, decimated further after the departures of four players on transfer deadline day, played players out of position, but so too did Burton.

The Brewers could only name 15 players and, with eight players missing through injury and illness including the club’s top scorer Daryl Clare, the manager Nigel Clough, who is approaching his 41st birthday, named himself among the substitutes alongside 40-year-old goalkeeping coach Martin Taylor.

Weymouth had Ashley Vickers and Ross Carmichael suspended, so fielded Trevor Challis at centre-back. Nick Crittenden continued at right back and player-manager Jason Tindall played centre forward alongside Beavon.

New signing Matthew Hartmann was thrust straight into the starting line up and the fledgling Terras Callum Ross-Jennins, Josh Burton, Scott Dixon and Lewis Ironside – with a handful of first team appearances between them – occupied the bench.

Tindall was a nuisance throughout and had the best chance for the opener in the 33rd minute. Beavon played 17-year-old Hartmann down the left.

The Portsmouth youth team player crossed for his new boss, but Tindall – something of a utility player who can play anywhere – could not get over the ball and it ballooned over the cross bar.

The player-manager operated as a traditional centre-forward target man, challenging for every ball in the air and bringing midfield players and Beavon into play.

After 14 minutes, Tindall chested down for his strike partner, who saw his volley blocked. Seconds later the former Didcot Town man teed up Tindall, who shot high into the Hollybush Stand from 18 yards.

Danny Holmes lofted the ball wide of the Terras’ goal after Jason Matthews’ poor punched clearance from a free kick, but six minutes later Burton scored.

Simon Weatherstone’s pass was intercepted by Aaron Webster, who played an exquisite through ball to Shaun Harrad.

Harrad ran through one-on-one with Matthews and slotted the ball under the on-rushing Terras’ goalkeeper for his first league goal of the season on his tenth start.

Webster, who started off on the left wing before moving up front, was close to doubling the lead moments before the interval with a header which drifted wide.

The match never flowed, largely due to the constant whistling of referee Andy Turner, who doled out eight yellow cards and awarded 45 fouls in a good natured game.

Weatherstone forced veteran goalkeeper Kevin Poole to dive to his right and save with 20 minutes remaining and Tindall had a shot blocked as Weymouth searched for an equaliser.

Narada Bernard cleared off the line from a combination of Gary Rowett and Darren Stride at the other end and Webster’s dipping volley went a yard wide.

Weymouth survived a penalty appeal in the 93rd minute – a decision which incensed Clough.

Burton’s Danny Holmes was scythed down by Challis and the assistant referee flagged for a foul. However, without consulting his assistant, Turner turned down the appeals and booked Holmes for diving.

Weymouth’s persistence, epitomised by Beavon, who harassed the Burton defenders all game, finally paid off a minute later.

Hartmann and Weatherstone combined on the left, and Brian Dutton knocked the ball down to Beavon.

Beavon pounced, getting in front of his marker and guiding the ball beyond a hapless Poole into the far corner for his second game-saving goal for the Terras in his third appearance.