Smith's a diamond
By Adam Summers

WEYMOUTH SKIPPER Ben Smith fired in his sixth of the season as the Terras fought back from a goal down at the Wessex Stadium on Saturday.

Despite having not won in their previous eight games, Rushden provided a stern test for the Dorset outfit whose usual flowing game was hampered by the windy conditions.

The Diamonds were playing their first competitive match since the exit of manager Paul Hart. The ex-Nottingham Forest boss departed Nene Park last Monday along with coach Ian Woan and assistant manager Ian Bowyer.

Ex-goalkeeping coach Tony Godden has taken temporary charge and his players were clearly keen to impress but much credit must still be given to the Terras who showed a lot of character despite not playing well.

Hill made two changes to his starting line-up with Dean Howell and Chukki Eribenne replacing Shaun Wilkinson and Raphael Nade, who both began on the bench. Howell was suspended for the Terras' previous game against Southport, which they won 2-0.

Rushden striker Lee Tomlin was a threat in the opening exchanges. The 17-year-old, who had a trial at Premiership outfit Liverpool at the end of last season, produced a shot on the turn in the third minute but his effort fell wide of the near-post.

Weymouth responded with a fantastic counter-attack moments later when Dean Howell made a 50-yard dash down the left after latching on to a throw from keeper Arran Lee-Barrett. The speedy winger crossed but Weatherstone failed to make a good connection with his shot, which in the end bobbled wide.

With Lee Elam and Howell occupying the flanks, the Terras had a fine balance to their team and in the opening 20 minutes they looked threatening particularly on the break. Eribenne's clever movement also saw him get into some good positions but his final ball tended to be disappointing.

Despite looking the better side, the hosts went behind on 21 minutes. Tyrone Berry found space on the right and when his cross held up in the wind and dropped over the head of Lee-Barrett, Tomlin was on-hand at the far-post to tap in his first-ever league goal. The Weymouth stopper must have been disappointed that he failed to intercept the cross.

Tomlin stun the palms of Lee-Barrett with a 25-yarder moments later before Nade replaced Eribenne, who limped off with a back injury on 32 minutes.
Weymouth desperately needed to get a foothold in the game and Smith provided it with a sweet strike after a corner.

The ex-Yeovil Town midfielder drove the ball into the net from just inside the box on 36 minutes after his initial header had been half cleared.
At the start of the second period, Lee-Barrett experienced a couple of nervy moments but on 49 minutes he proved his worth with a great save to deny Simeon Jackson.

The Rushden striker, who has already netted eight times this season, turned Roy O'Brien well but his fierce strike was pushed away for a corner.

Weymouth responded with another chance for Smith. The skipper received the ball from Elam but his 17-yard shot flew just wide of the far-post.

The Terras began giving away possession too easily and that encouraged the Diamonds to come forward.

Around the hour mark the Northamptonshire outfit started to pin the hosts in their own half but good defending and goalkeeping kept them at bay.

On 73 minutes Lee-Barreatt pulled off a great save from Paul Watson's 20-yard free-kick and the Terras' inability to get hold of the game soon caused Hill to make two changes with Wayne Purser and Shaun Wilkinson replacing Logan and Howell.

The switch instantly woke up the hosts who changed to a 4-3-3 system.
Weatherstone had a long-range shot saved and Nade headed a cross from Abdou El Kholti on to the bar but the Terras were unable to make their late pressure count.

In fact they could have lost had Jackson's last-gasp curler from outside the box not caught a slight deflection. The lively forward's effort just went wide of the top-right corner.