Smith stuns the Grecians
By Adam Summers

Wednesday 27th December 2006

CAPTAIN marvel Ben Smith celebrated his recent contract extension by grab­bing the winner against the Grecians at a packed Wessex Stadium.

The ex-Hereford United man, who has commit­ted himself to the Dorset club until 2009, struck with nine minutes remaining to put third-placed Weymouth ten points clear of their mid-table opponents.

A crowd of 4,294 watched this West Country derby which was packed with passion.

The Terras were the better team in the first half and deservedly took the lead through Richard Logan but Exeter responded after the break and soon drew level thanks to a free-kick by Billy Jones.

Weymouth were put under a lot of pressure after that but in the final stages they got back on top and showed tremendous character to snatch the three points.

Terras' boss Garry Hill made three changes to his starting XI with Simon Downer, Simon Weatherstone and Raphael Nade making way for Dean Howell, Shaun Wilkinson and Chukki Eribenne.

Nick Crittenden also returned from injury. The ex-Yeovil Town man, who began on the bench, was making his first appearance in a matchday squad since November 11.

Paul Buckle started for the Grecians but fellow ex-Terra Lee Phillips did not travel.

With seven points separating the two sides at the start of play it was no surprise to see a fran­tic opening five minutes.

The first chance of the encounter fell to Eribenne who fired over on the turn after a fantastic run and cross from the left from Howell.

The Terras set a good tempo and Eribenne looked particularly lively but it was Logan who broke the deadlock on 13 minutes.

The ex-Peterborough United man leapt high at the far post and sent a fine downward header past City stopper Paul Janes after a great cross from Lee Elam.

Exeter responded well and two minutes later Buckle should have levelled. The experienced midfielder got on the end of a far-post knock down by Andy Taylor but his eight-yard drive was blocked superbly by ex-Grecians' keeper Jason Matthews.

El Kholti then made a great last-ditch clearance to deny Taylor a free header at the far post before the hosts hit back with two corners from Dean Howell that Exeter struggled to deal with.

The first saw Eribenne have a header deflected over and the second caused a goalmouth scramble, which ended with a foul on Paul Jones.

The middle third of the half was mostly con­tested in the centre of the field. Howell's pace on the left was a constant threat for Weymouth, whose defence looked comfortable despite the odd break down in communication with their keeper Matthews.

Tony James and Ashley Vickers were looking particularly good at the heart of the Terras' back four. The latter made a wonderful challenge to deny Adam Stansfield a chance late in the half when the ex-Yeovil man threatened to out pace him on the right.

Exeter fashioned an opportunity for Jon Challinor on 48 minutes after Stansfield and Taylor had combined on the right.

The dark­haired midfielder spun well in the box but Matthews was equal to the effort.

City then levelled two minutes later after a needless foul by the Terras was conceded on the right. Billy Jones swung in the resulting set piece, which went directly into the far corner of the net.

Suddenly the visiting fans were now in full voice and on 55 minutes Billy Jones went close with another free-kick. This time his effort clipped the outside of the far post.

Sensing the change in momentum Weymouth boss Garry Hill replaced El Kholti with Crittenden. The switch meant Howell had to retreat to left back.

The Terras desperately needed some inspira­tion. Logan was on target with a tame effort before a fabulous defensive block denied Eribenne after a low cross by Smith.

The pace and power Weymouth showed up front in the first half was suddenly lacking, so it was no surprise to see Nade replace Eribenne with 15 minutes remaining.

Seconds later James's header at the far post from a corner stretched Paul Jones as the hosts began to exert some pressure on City's defence.

Exeter were now the ones looking nervous and from another flag-kick on 81 minutes the Terras regained the lead.

Wilkinson curled the ball into the six-yard box and after a scramble on the goal ­line Smith poked the ball home.

City responded with Stansfield having a shot saved by Matthews and Mackie chipping an effort over the bar but it was to be Weymouth's after­noon.

In the dying seconds Matthews pulled off a fabulous triple save to deny Matt Gill, Mackie and­Stansfield as the Terras claimed their third league win on the spin.