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Terras pay penalty as cup dream ends
By Nigel Biddlecombe
WEYMOUTH'S hopes of reaching the third round of the FA Cup
for the first time in 24 years were cruelly ended by Cambridge
United at the Abbey Stadium.
Scott Rendell's 25th minute penalty was enough to end the
Terras' dream of meeting one of the Premier League's big boys
in January.
Boss Jason Tindall made six changes for Saturday's second
round tie and adopted a 4-5-1 formation to combat the powerful
home side.
The tactical plan almost paid off as the Terras produced
a battling performance before bowing out of the competition.
United were denied the perfect start when Neil Young was
penalised 30 yards out, but Jason Matthews was on hand to
save brilliantly from Gavin Hoyte after Stephen Reed had played
the free-kick into his path.
Matthews easily held Rendell's header from a corner before
the Terras mounted their first serious attack.
Sido Jombarti - returning from injury - found Stuart Beavon
on the left and the Terras' striker cut inside to play the ball
into the U's penalty area, unfortunately Paolo Vernazza's header
lacked power allowing ex-Weymouth keeper Danny Potter to make
a comfortable save.
Rob Wolleaston and Rendell had chances for the home side,
but they were unable to find the target before the visiting
defence was breached in the 25th minute.
Rendell used his strength to shrug off Justin Roberts and
found his way into the penalty area only for Roberts to bring
him down.
Rendell picked himself up to send Matthews the wrong way
from the spot.
Four minutes later the Terras should have levelled but Vernazza
was unable to make contact with a cross from Beavon - who
was keeping the home defence on their toes as he ploughed
a lone furrow up front.
As the first period drew to a close Matthews saved from Wolleaston
while Gavin McCallum saw two efforts fly narrowly wide at
the other end.
With the strong wind in their favour the Terras put the home
side under pressure at the beginning of the second period,
with Potter punching clear from Vernazza and Roberts seeing
his effort well saved by the United stopper.
Lee Boylan's shot was deflected while Paul Carden shot well
wide before Callum Hart had to make a timely interception
to deny Rendell.
Scott Doe did well to intercept when Hoyte threatened before
the Terras had a great chance in the 70th minute. Jombarti
and Beavon exchanged passes but the Portuguese man was denied
by a last-ditch tackle from Mark Peters.
Potter saved from Beavon and McCallum was denied by Carden's
tackle before Matthews did well to hold on to Darryl Knight's
attempted cross which had turned into a shot after catching
the wind.
Bringing Conal Platt and Stuart Douglas into the action,
and pushing three up front to try and find the equaliser,
it was Weymouth who were on top as the tie came to an end.
Beavon's shot on the turn was too high, Potter touched Platt's
deflected corner on to the woodwork and Nick Crittenden's
effort from the rebound cleared the crossbar.
But the best chance fell to Douglas who found himself in
space to collect Platt's long ball forward - however, the
striker completely scuffed his effort and the home defence
were able to clear.
A better performance from the Terras after two lacklustre
displays against Altrincham and York gave the 355 travelling
fans reason to look forward to this Saturday's Blue Square
Premier home game with Farsley Celtic.
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