Rankine’s rush
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Wednesday 4th April 2007

WEYMOUTH have conceded 11 goals in two games after they were beaten by Garry Hill’s Rushden & Diamonds last night.

Michael Rankine scored a hat-trick to condemn the Terras to their third successive defeat.

Facing his former boss, Terras manager Jason Tindall made one change to his side from Saturday for the Nationwide Conference fixture at Nene Park bringing in Narada Bernard to replace Ishmael Welsh who has returned to Yeovil Town after a loan spell at the Wessex Stadium.

The home side were first on the attack when Simeon Jackson broke down the left flank, getting in front of Tony James, and played a low cross into the Terras’ penalty area. Fortunately the ball evaded everybody and went harmlessly out for a throw-in.

Jackson found himself in space in the 12th minute, but his shot was easily held by Jason Matthews.

Weymouth’s first real chance came on 20 minutes when Ashley Vickers and Adam Cottrell combined to play the ball through to Raphael Nade. The Terras’ striker used his chest to help the ball on to Stuart Beavon, but the former Didcot front-man was unable to get any power behind his effort.

Simon Weatherstone’s header from Cottrell’s cross – in the 25th minute – was too high, while Anton Robinson, Nick Crittenden and Weatherstone combined to create a chance for James Coutts, but the midfielder’s effort was also over the top.

Matthews saved well after Gary Mills’ effort had been deflected and James’ last-ditch tackle denied Michael Rankine before the home side took the lead.

The goal, when it came, was disappointing for the Terras who had matched their opponents for the majority of the first half.

Cottrell conceded a needless free- kick on the left of the penalty area in the 43rd minute when he pulled back Danny Williams.

Williams took the kick himself and sent a low cross into the six-yard area which Rankine appeared to nudge over the diving Matthews.

The opening minutes of the second half saw Rushden put the Terras under pressure, but Williams, Gary Mills and Marcus Kelly all missed reasonable chances to increase the lead.

Nade had Weymouth’s first real chance of the half when his looping header from Crittenden’s free- kick was just too high.

When Jackson put Rankine through for the home side in the 65th minute it took another excellent challenge from James to deny the Diamonds front man.

The Terras equaliser came in the 68th minute when Beavon found Robinson who beat Ashton with ease before cutting into the penalty area and laying the ball to the feet of the on-coming Crittenden. The Terras midfield man fired home from ten yards.

Weymouth’s joy lasted just two minutes and – once again – it was their inability to defend at set-pieces that was their undoing.

Vickers did well to deny Williams at the expense of a corner only for the same player to send the kick low into the six-yard area. The Terras failed to deal with the cross and Mark Albrighton was on hand to score with a simple tap- in.

After Danny Phillips had fired a shot over the bar in the 80th minute Rushden wrapped up the points with two goals in six minutes.

In the 84th minute James failed to find Matthews with a back header leaving Jackson to nip in and fire a shot against the crossbar. Rankine was the first to react and had no trouble in adding a third goal for Hill’s men.

Rushden’s fourth was again from a set-piece. This time a quickly taken free-kick by Savage – in the 90th minute – was spilled by Matthews.

Although the Terras keeper was able to parry Lee Tomlin’s follow up effort it was Rankine who reacted quickest to finish the job and complete his hat-trick.

Despite the scoreline this was a better performance by Tindall’s men who for 70 minutes matched their opponents. However, their inability to defend at set-pieces continues to be a concern and must certainly give the Terras’ manager food for thought before the two difficult games over the Easter holiday.