Simon's scorcher
By Nigel Biddlecombe

WEYMOUTH produced a terrific performance to earn a crucial point in their fight to avoid relegation from the Blue Square Premier in Sussex on Saturday.

The Broadfield pitch was covered in surface water from the start and became sodden as heavy rain fell before and during the match.

John Hollins brought James Coutts and Trevor Challis into the side in place of Nick Crittenden, who reverted to the bench, and the injured Michael Malcolm.

These changes also allowed Matthew Bailey to play up front alongside Stuart Beavon.

Crawley had the first chance when Dennie Bulman's free-kick cleared the visiting defence, but keeper Stephen Henderson was able to clear the danger.

Weymouth were desperately unlucky not to take the lead - in the third minute - when Coutts did well to get his cross over from the right and Beavon fired in a great shot on the turn, only for Kiernan Murphy to hook the ball off of the goal line.

In the 19th minute Jamie Cook's shot from distance was beaten out by Henderson who then reacted well as Pierre Joseph-Dubois shot from the rebound.

Simon Weatherstone put the Terras in front on 24 minutes when his cross was only half cleared and the Weymouth skipper fired in an unstoppable shot from 30 yards which left Ashley Bayes grasping fresh air.

Scott Doe and Trevor Challis both produced good blocks to deny Thompson, before Crawley's pressure paid off in the 40th minute.

Glenn Wilson's free-kick into Weymouth's area was headed back across his own goal by Chris Blackburn. Murphy latched on to the error and his shot crept across the line despite Blackburn's frantic efforts to rectify his mistake.

Crawley were quickly on the attack after the interval and Henderson was forced to save from Wilson, but the Terras were a little fortunate when Blackburn's poor header put the visiting keeper under pressure, Henderson just recovering to fly kick clear.

Challis blocked an effort by Thompson, Weatherstone's defensive header narrowly cleared his own crossbar and Mutapha Carayol's weak effort was held by Henderson, before Weymouth were able to settle down again.

Blackburn's long clearance caused the home defence problems, but Bailey was unable to bring the ball under control, but it was the Red Devils who were looking most dangerous.

Henderson held on to Ryan Hall's cross and Bulman's effort was well over the bar, before Bailey's flick on from Kyle Critchell's free kick was held by Bayes.

Although both sides had their chances: Murphy and Carayol going close for Crawley and Beavon being denied by Bayes at the other end the conditions were beginning to take their toll and both sides were looking tired.

With the game drawing to a close Henderson's hesitation allowed Thompson time to shoot, but the Terras' keeper was able to block the effort and Doe completed the clearance.

Although this point was not enough to move Weymouth out of the bottom four, the performance must give them confidence ahead of tomorrow's vital game against Droylesden: a game the Terras simply must win.