Terras lack killer-touch
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Monday 2nd April 2007

THE Terras suffered their biggest ever defeat in non-League’s top flight with a woeful performance at the Abbey Stadium.

The visitors were three down after only 18 minutes and they rarely troubled United, who could have scored more.

Weymouth’s previous worst Conference loss came at Welling United on September 24, 1986 when they were hammered 5-0.

Terras’ boss Jason Tindall made one change to his starting line up drafting in James Coutts for Conal Platt, who began on the bench.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, the visitors expected a torrid opening to the fixture but few would have predicted the events that followed.

The game was only a minute old when the hosts created their first opening. Robbie Simpson got on the end of Steven Smith’s superb free-kick but could only head wide.

Weymouth were clearly under pressure and five minutes later Dan Glesson grabbed the game’s opener. Courtney Pitt crossed from the left and the defender struck home from six yards past Jason Matthews.

Weymouth continued to look ragged and four minutes later they conceded another.

Michael Morrison broke down the right flank and crossed to the far post where Daniel Chillingworth had plenty of time to finish.

The Terras’ first attack of the half came when Tony James intercepted a pass and cleared up field. Raphael Nade then put Ishmael Welsh away but his attempted cross from the by-line went over the bar.

The visitors’ reprieve did not last long and on 18 minutes they were 3-0 down. A poor clearance from a free-kick allowed Smith to return the ball into the box and Chillingworth was on hand to fire home a fierce drive on the turn for his second.
The 25-year-old striker should have also scored before that but he struck his shot wide after a mix-up between James and Matthews.

Just when the travelling fans thought that things could not get any worse for their side a long clearance found Simpson, who evaded James and netted his side’s fourth. That goal came seven minutes prior to the break and effectively killed off any hopes of a comeback.

With the wind at their backs in the second half many expected the Terras to put up a better fight but it did not materialise.

Nick Crittenden’s free-kick found Aaron Robinson, who put Coutts free but his strike was easily saved by Paul Crichton.

Cambridge then regained control and on 64 minutes they added their fifth. Daniel Brown broke from defence and found Simpson in acres of space and he beat the despairing Matthews.

Weymouth’s heads dropped once again and five minutes later Chillingworth completed his hat-trick, scoring from close range after a fine cross by Pitt.

The result was finally wrapped up by Smith, who evaded a tackle before tucking the ball coolly into the net after a fine run by Rob Wolleaston.

In the final few moments Cambridge took their foot off the gas and on 85 minutes Simon Weatherstone tested Crichton but the keeper held the effort comfortably.

Welsh also threatened by beating two defenders and cutting inside the box but once again Crichton was there.