Nick cuts down the Forest
By Matt Pitman

Wednesday 13th September 2006

NICK Crittenden's second half freak goal ensured Weymouth bounced back to winning ways against Forest Green Rovers.

The midfielder's first goal for the Terras ensured his side extended their superb Wessex Stadium form under boss Garry Hill.

Only one team have beaten Hill's men in the league on their own turf in 28 games.

And while Weymouth didn't hit the heights last night, bottom-of-the ­table Rovers never really threatened ending that incredible run.

Having drawn two and lost one of their last three games, it was vital Weymouth claimed the three points to prevent the early season momentum slipping away.

It took a bizarre goal on the hour to the separate the sides, one Rovers keeper Steve Williams will want to forget in a hurry.

Crittenden, a summer signing from Aldershot Town, swung over what appeared to be a cross from the left flank.

But with Terras midfielder Ben Smith lurking just in front of goal, the curling ball looped over Williams untouched and into the net.

Until that point, it had been a frustrating night for boss Hill who had an eventful few hours leading up to kick off.

Aside from the speculation surrounding the Bournemouth vacancy, the Terras manager also loaned out midfielder Andy Harris to Eastleigh and signed former Crystal Palace striker Gareth Williams on trial.

Weymouth, who started with Tony James in defence in place of Simon Downer who picked up a niggly injury at Burton, took a long time to get going and if was Jim Harvey's basement boys who had the better of the early exchanges.

Lively winger Les Afful, who linked up well with lone striker Allan Russell, cut in from the right flank and squared for Alex Meechan whose effort was blocked by Terras keeper Aaron Lee-Barrett.

Having lost striker Chukki Eribenne to a nasty head injury at Burton Albion last Saturday, the hosts suffered another major blow midway through the opening half.

Terras defender Ashley Vickers was stretchered off with a knee injury which required 16 stitches after accidentally being caught by a trailing boot belonging to Russell.

The contest was a dour affair for the next quarter as Weymouth seemed content to launch long balls down the channels for strikers Raphael Nade and Richard Logan.

But as the interval approached, the action improved as Nade went close with a snap-shot.

Weymouth's best two chances came in the final two minutes of the half.

Lee Elam's well-flighted cross was headed down by Logan for Crittenden who drew an excellent double save from Williams.

Smith then floated over a lovely ball for Nade six yards out but the striker failed to hit the target with his header from six yards.

Forest Green nearly hit the front just after the restart when Afful's angled shot had Lee-Barrett scram­bling to his left.

But slowly but surely Simon Weatherstone and particularly Smith started to gain more influence in midfield.

Smith, Crittenden and Logan all had efforts go close as by now a Weymouth opener seemed only a matter of time.

The all-important goal duly arrived after a mistake by Darren Jones gift­ed Weymouth a corner on the hour.

Lee Elam and Crittenden worked a short corner down the left hand side for the latter to swung over the cross which beat the embarrassed Williams.

Logan nearly made it two moments later when a thunderbolt of a free kick stung the palms of Williams, and a Smith charge led to him also going close.

Rovers boss Harvey replaced the lively Afful with substitute Charlie Griffm on 70 minutes and the move nearly paid off instantly.

Jamie Pitman swung over a free kick from the left flank and striker Griffin stole a march on his marker but his header flashed inches past Lee-Barrett's post. '

In response, Hill opted to shore up Weymouth defensively, withdrawing striker Logan for substitute Jason Tindall who performed in midfield.

Elam nearly sealed the points for Weymouth late on with a low shot fol­lowing some superb play by the hard­working Nade who ran back 30 yards to win back possession.

There was nearly late drama when Forest Green threw men forward and Meechan crossed for Russell to flick goalwards but a grateful Lee.Barrett was there to save.