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Critts strikes to land Terras a point
By Adam Summers
Monday 9th April 2007
WINGER Nick Crittenden struck his third goal in five games
as Weymouth brought their three-game losing streak to an end
at the Wessex Stadium.
The 28-year-old levelled from 12 yards after Gavin Hurren
had taken advantage of some poor defending to lob the Harriers
in front.
Once Crittenden's shot had hit the back of the net the Terras
seemed to grow in confidence and they should have claimed
the three points but were unable to turn their dominance into
another goal.
Tindall made two changes to his starting line-up with the
biggest surprise coming between the posts where ex-Dorchester
Town youngster Nick Jones replaced Jason Matthews, who was
ruled out due to injury.
Simon Weatherstone was also rested and began on the bench.
Danny Phillips replaced the midfielder as the Terras continued
with the 4-4-2 formation they adopted in the 4-1 loss at Rushden
& Diamonds in their previous game. Skipper Trevor Challis
missed his fourth match on the spin through a hamstring problem
so Ashley Vickers took the armband.
Having conceded 11 goals in their last two games Weymouth
were clearly keen to make a solid start but the opening exchanges
were scrappy with both sides failing to keep possession.
Things were looking fairly dull until the 11th minute when Weymouth's
offside trap got caught out allowing Gavin Hurren to chip Jones,
who had rushed out of his area into no man's land. Michael Blackwood
chased the ball and got a touch before it hit the net but it
had already crossed the line.
It was a dreadful goal to concede and it was no surprise
to see the home fans drop their heads in disappointment.
Simon Russell shot wide from 20 yards moments later for the
Harriers, who were looking comfortable but there were some
positives for Weymouth. Beavon was looking lively up front
and Coutts was posing a threat down the left.
All the Terras needed was something to lift their spirits
and it came on 20 minutes when Coutts made a great break out
wide and pulled the ball across the face of goal for Crittenden
to hammer into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
The goal seemed to stun the visitors and for the next 15
minutes the Terras enjoyed some sustained pressure. On 32
minutes a fine pass by Nade and lay-off by Beavon set up Anton
Robinson but stopper Scott Bevan comfortably gathered his
18-yard effort which should have provided more of a test.
Despite posing more of a threat going forward, Weymouth were
still looking ragged at the back. That was proved eight minutes
before the break when Russell volleyed over after finding
space in the box.
Crittenden, who has been Weymouth's best player in recent
times, responded by nearly grabbing his second but Bevan pulled
off a great save low to his right to deny the winger.
The Terras then had another chance moments later when Nade
got on the end of a corner from Phillips. The Carlisle United
loanee guided a volley towards the target but the ball ran
wide.
The game continued to follow the same pattern at the start
of the second half. Kidderminster lacked ideas while the hosts
carried on creating chances.
Coutts volleyed wide at the far post before Phillips blazed
over from just inside the box after a superb pass by Narada
Bernard.
On 55 minutes the visitors made a double substitution bringing
on strikers James Constable and Luke Reynolds for Iyseden
Christie and Russell Penn but the Terras continued to look
the more likely side to find a winner.
Coutts had a shot deflected wide before Crittenden's near-post
corner was flicked across the six-yard box by Beavon but no
one was there for the hosts to turn it in.
A scrappy period followed before Kiddy then hit the bar on
73 minutes. Brady crossed from the left and when Constable
failed to connect Russell sent in a goal-bound shot that Jones
and Vickers somehow diverted on to the frame of the goal.
Adam Cottrell headed away the loose ball.
Beavon and Coutts both responded with shots that were saved
before a neat pass by Crittenden set up Phillips whose strike
from 12 yards was again beaten away by Bevan.
Crittenden struck a free-kick over the bar from 25 yards
before the Harriers then wasted a golden chance on 85 minutes
when Russell put Constable through. The forward only had Jones
to beat but instead of shooting he tried to play in Reynolds
and knocked the ball comically out of play.
Weymouth finished the stronger side and two minutes before
time it was man-of-the-match Crittenden who went close again,
striking just wide from 22 yards after a superb run from halfway.
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