Wasteful Terras foiled by Beard
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Wednesday 20th September 2006

WEYMOUTH went down to their second defeat of the Conference National season at Stevenage Borough last night.

But Garry Hill's impressive Terras can count themselves extremely unlucky not to have departed Broadhall Way with at least a share of the spoils.

The dominant visitors fashioned a host of openings to claim a point, forcing a massive 16 corners over the 90 minutes.

But they were left to count the cost of failing to find the net as Borough clinched their first win in three through Mark Beard's winner just before the break.

Weymouth lined up with former AFC Bournemouth defender Jason Tindall in the centre of defence usually occupied by the injured Simon Downer, with Dean Howell in for his crocked team-mate Nick Crittenden.

In an open and stretched contest, Stevenage started strongly forcing, three corners in the first two minutes but the Terras held firm to break away and force a corner of their own.

Midfielder Simon Weatherstone, back at his former club, took the resulting kick which was only half cleared to Tindall who shot first time just over the bar.

Weymouth got plenty of joy from corners with Tindall a dangerous threat in the air and the ex-Cherries star had a header well saved by Borough keeper Alan Julian.

Ben Smith was the next Terra to try his luck as the visitors looked dangerous, with Weatherstone and then striker Raphael Nade also going close.

A goal for the visitors looked on the cards and it may have arrived half-way through the opening period when Smith set off on a goalbound run and was crudely upended by Ronnie Henry just as he was about to burst into the box.

Weymouth goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Barrett was called into action when Craig Dobson, the impressive George Boyd and Steve Morison created an opening for the latter to be denied by the Terras number one.

Although the Terras were well on top, gaining ten corners in the first half, it was the home side who broke the deadlock on 43 minutes.

Boyd broke down the right and used his strength to hold off Howell before setting up Beard to fire home from ten yards.

In the final minute of the first half, Elam finished a period of Weymouth pressure with a cross which Smith headed into the side netting.

Weymouth started strongly after the interval with Nade and Howell causing problems to the home defence.

At the other end it took a great tackle by Steve Tully to deny Morison before Boyd nearly increased Stevenage's lead, forcing a great save from LeeBarrett.

The Terras continued to press in search of an equaliser as Howell hooked a shot over the bar having been found by Abdou El Kholti.

Boss Hill threw on trialist striker Gareth Williams for the closing stages and the former Welsh under-2l international added some extra quality to the Weymouth attack.

The stocky ex-Crystal Palace and Colchester star was immediately into the action, forcing a corner from which Chukki
Eribenne's shot rebounded to safety off Nade.

By now the Terras were playing with three strikers as Hill introduced substitute Shaun Wilkinson for his 100th appearance for Weymouth.

Late on the visitors created a host of chances to claim a deserved point.

Eribenne headed wide from Lee Elam's pin-point cross, then keeper Julian made a great save to keep out Downer's effort from Wilkinson's corner.

Downer could not take advantage of a further chance to rescue a draw moments later and with seconds left, Williams worked a great opening for Weymouth but his shot was blocked by the feet of Julian.