No singing in the rain
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Monday 4th September 2006

WEYMOUTH lost their unbeaten record in the Conference National at a rain-swept Christie Park.

The Terras had the best of the opening half, but once again suffered from an inability to score goals.

Within the opening 19 min­utes Raphael Nade and Chukki Eribenne both had chances to put the Terras in front.

And had the two strikers taken either of their decent openings, the result may have been very different for Garry Hill's men.

On a difficult afternoon for free-flowing football, Weymouth thought they had edged ahead on 20 minutes when Nade headed home.

But referee Pawson surprised the crowd by disallowing the effort indicating that there had been a pushing offence in the build up.

Shortly after, Simon Weather­stone went close again for Weymouth after good work by Ben Smith and Eribenne.

Lee Elam, returning to one of his previous clubs, was cautioned in the 30th minute after committing three fouls in as many minutes.

Disaster struck for the Terras though when Morecambe took the lead from a Danny Meadowcroft header.

The Shrimps forced three corners in quick succession and Michael Twiss was the man who took all three.

The last of Twiss' trio caused panic in the Weymouth defence and Meadowcroft was able to rise unmarked and power the ball home.

Simon Downer went close for Weymouth three minutes later when he latched on to a loose ball and sent a fierce dipping shot just inches over the cross bar.

As the half closed Ashley Vickers was fouled 35 yards out.

Weatherstone's free kick was floated across the box, but Downer was unable to make contact amid Weymouth appeals for a penalty.

At the start of the second half Hill replaced Elam with Dean Howell but, as the conditions deteriorated, it was the home side who adapted better to a pitch now covered in puddles.

Despite this the first chance of the second period fell to the Terras when Nick Crittenden's centre from the right fell to Smith.

Unfortunately Smith and Nade contrived to get in each others way and Twiss was able to clear.

With surface water lying all over the surface there was no chance of either side playing controlled football.

Although Nade missed a superb chance for the Terras, it was Morecambe's ability to play a more route one style that put them in control.

In the 61th minute Gary Thompson broke down the right flank and crossed into the box.

Terras goalkeeper Aaron Lee ­Barrett failed to hold the ball, which bounced off his body for a needless corner.

The industrious Twiss took the kick and his cross was well met by Wayne Curtis who powered his header in for the Shrimps second.

Weymouth lacked nothing in endeavour, without creating any real chances as the match went on.

Ashley Vickers became the second Terra to go into the referee's notebook after 75 min­utes, again as a result of a series of fouls.

Hill replaced El Kholti with Richard Logan and Vickers with Tony James but these moves failed to bring the Terras any success

As the match drew to a close Weatherstone saw two efforts flyover the bar.
The final opportunity came when Downer broke from the halfway line, beating three players, before being hauled down by Craig Stanley, who escaped without any action being taken by the inconsistent Mr Pawson.

Howell took the free kick, but blasted it into the defensive wall.