No Rovers return despite fight back
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Tuesday 2nd January 2007

THERE was no happy start to 2007 for the Terras as poor defending in the first half proved costly at the New Lawn.

Rovers, who started the game fourth from bottom, seemed to have the points safely in the bag at half-time thanks to efforts by Chris Giles, Mark Beesley and Les Afful. But Weymouth fought gallantly in the second period replying through a brace by skipper Ben Smith to ensure the latter stages were very tense.

The defeat was the Dorset outfit's second on the spin and it has caused them to drop to fifth in the standings.

Weymouth boss Garry Hill made four changes to his starting XI with Roy O'Brien, Trevor Challis, Simon Weatherstone and Raphael Nade replacing Ashley Vickers, Abdou El Kholti, Chukki Eribenne and Richard Logan.

The visitors adopted a 4-3-3 formation with Lee Elam and Dean Howell playing either side of Nade but it was not long before Forest Green broke the deadlock. Beesley blazed wide as early as the second minute before a shot by Afful cleared the bar moments later after a long punt by home keeper Steve Williams.

Terras' stopper Jason Matthews was then forced to beat out a 25-yard strike by Afful but there was nothing he could do to stop Giles from opening the scoring on 18 minutes.

The ex-Yeovil Town man buried a header into net after being found in space in the area by Danny Williams' superbly delivered free kick.

Howell replied with an effort at the other end that was comfortably saved before Forest Green added another on 32 minutes.

Shaun Wilkinson was harshly punished for a challenge on Afful and when the resulting free-kick came into the box Beesley was on hand to nod home.

Weymouth's defence was clearly struggling in the deteriorating conditions and it was no surprise to see them full even further behind just three minutes later. Simon Clist played a delightful one-two with Afful before testing Matthews with a powerful shot.

The Terras' keeper saved well but unfortunately for the visitors Afful reacted quickest to the rebound to make it 3-0.

Just when it seemed things could not get any worse for Weymouth, defender Roy O'Brien suffered a facial injury and had to be replaced by Vickers.

The start of the second half was delayed as the home club made every effort toensure the pitch was playable by trying to remove some of the surplus water.

Two minutes after the restart Afful created a good chance for Alex Meechan but Matthews saved well at his feet.

The Terras desperately needed a lifeline and it came on 50 minutes when Elam collected a long clearance by Matthews. The winger found space and crossed for
Smith, who tucked the ball away from close range.

Weatherstone and substitute Eribenne both had shots blocked before the home side produced their best move of the half on 69 minutes.

Afful, Beesley and Meechan all combined but the latter was thwarted by anexcellent piece of defending by Tony James. An off-side flag was also raised.

Weymouth lost Vickers to a hamstring injury on 75 minutes and having used all three of their substitutes they were forced to play out the rest of the game with ten men.

Despite that blow the Terras still managed to pull another one back when Nade battled his way into the box before playing in Smith, who once again applied a cool finish.

The visitors continued to battle in the latter stages but there was to be no fairytale ending as the home side held out for three valuable points.