Cup cruise for Terras
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Monday 30th October 2006

THE Terras once again proved their strength-in-depth with an ultra-professional performance at Bulpit Lane.

The Nationwide Conference National high-fliers made five changes to their , starting line-up with Simon Downer,
Trevor Challis, Shaun Wilkinson, , Raphael Nade and Wayne Purser all being included.

Winger Nick Crittenden, who has been out with a hamstring injury in recent times, returned to the bench.

Weymouth boss Garry Hill took his place `` in the dugout and he must have been delighted with the mature display his side ` produced on what was a bumpy pitch.

The ex-Hornchurch manager was taken ~' to hospital with severe chest pains during ' his side's encounter against Rushden & Diamonds the previous Saturday and he is still awaiting test results.

The Hellenic Premier Division hosts were put under pressure immediately from the kick-off with Wilkinson shooting wide and Dean Howell failing to control a pass by Purser when in a good position.

In the 16th minute Hungerford fashioned ' their only opening of what was a one-sided ': first half but ex-Terra Jamie Gosling could ! only back-heel Graham Edney's through ball into Arran Lee-Barrett's hands.

Due to the conditions this game was never going to be a showpiece of free-flowing foot' ball so when Lee Elam put the visitors one ', up a feeling of relief swept through the ' travelling support.

The former Yeovil Town winger struck on ' 32 minutes when he glided past two defenders before firing a shot in off a post. The 30: year-old has now hit three goals in his last four games.

Rejoicing

Nade went close to doubling the Terras' advantage just seven minutes later when his headed effort from Downer's cross hit an upright - but it was not long before fans of the claret and blue were rejoicing
again.

The visitors' second came on 41 minutes when Howell intercepted a pass by Luke Brewer and put Nade in. The Carlisle United loanee crossed for Purser who applied a confident finish. Purser could have grabbed another 60 seconds later after Elam put him in the clear but Dominic Green made a good stop.

Weymouth started the second period as they had finished the first with Howell being denied by Green and home defender Steve Thomas clearing a scrambled effort off the line.

The Terras knew a third goal would kill the game and it came on 64 minutes when Wilkinson's corner met the head of in-form defender Roy O'Brien, who nodded downwards to beat both keeper and defender on ' the goal-line.

Sean Terry wasted a good chance to pull ' one back moments later but the closing 15 minutes was fairly comfortable for the visitors.

A flurry of substitutions soon came and it I was the away outfit who perhaps should have added to their tally. Jason Tindall had a header cleared off the line by Toby Clark before Elam's surging run ended with a great double save by Green.

Despite only playing in patches, this was a fine, workmanlike performance by Weymouth. They will have to play better to beat Coca-Cola League Two side Bury at the Wessex Stadium in the next round but one gets the sense that a good cup run could be on the horizon for Hill's men.