Bowey body blow
By Nigel Biddlecombe

Monday 19th February 2006

Steve Bowey’s last-gasp winner condemned the Terras to their second successive defeat and boosted the Minstermen’s chances of automatic promotion.

Weymouth were resilient throughout until Bowey latched on to a through ball from substitute Richard Brodie. The midfielder took the ball around a despairing Jason Matthews and found the net from the tightest of angles.

Terras’ player-manager Jason Tindall made several changes for Saturday’s fixture at the Kit-Kat Crescent giving debuts to his three latest signings – Danny Phillips, Adam Cottrell and Conal Platt – all of whom performed well.

Although York had their chances, Matthews saving well from Craig Farrell in the opening minute and three times from Clayton Donaldson in the first ten, the Terras were causing the home side problems on the break.

After 14 minutes Tom Evans was forced to save well when James Coutts’ free-kick rebounded from a home defender and Tindall fired in a shot.

With City looking nervous at the back in the opening exchanges Weymouth forced three corners in quick succession with both Stuart Beavon and Ashley Vickers going close to breaking the deadlock.

Phillips fired a shot over the crossbar following a terrific pass from Cottrell and Tindall was unlucky with a brave diving header from Roy O’Brien’s cross.

The home side then troubled Weymouth again, Donaldson getting the better of Vickers and playing a deep cross across the penalty area which Bowey blazed wide.

Matthews was in action again in the 37th minute as Bowey hit a shot from distance after his free-kick had rebounded off of the visitors’ defensive wall.

Emmanuel Panther had a great opportunity in the 38th minute after Terry Lloyd and Donaldson had combined well, but the influential home skipper shot wide.
As the half drew to a close Nick Crittenden shot wide and Cottrell was forced to deny Bowey with a superb challenge.

Although York had the majority of the play in the second period Weymouth were never really threatened as the visiting defence held firm against the home side’s unimaginative attack.

Donaldson had a wonderful chance in the 52nd minute after Panther had put him clear but the Hibernian-bound striker blasted his effort into the side netting.
Matthews was forced to save at the feet of Farrell after Coutts had given the ball away cheaply and Bowey blasted a free kick into the Terras’ defensive wall after the same player had been penalised for hand ball.

Beavon – who played as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation – was full of running but found the going tough against an uncompromising home defence. It was as much to do with this formation that the Terras were unable to fire a single effort on goal in the entire second period.

Bowey’s goal was a cruel blow for the battling Terras, who can be pleased with their overall performance which would have led to a hard earned point had
the referee and his co-officials not mysteriously found a full five minutes of added time – the goal coming after 94 minutes.

The football club can also be proud of the support they received on such a long trip with 147 travelling supporters being among the 2,769 crowd.