Terras see off Didcot but need to be more clinical
By Nigel Biddlecombe

THE Terras deservedly won last night's friendly at British Gas Southern side Didcot Town last night, but they were forced to fight hard for the victory.

The first half saw Weymouth in the ascendancy with Anton Robinson having a second minute shot well saved and seeing a second effort - three minutes later - fly over the bar.

Chances also fell to ex-Didcot man Stuart Beavon - given a hero's welcome on his return - Justin Roberts, Nick Crittenden and James Coutts, but a combination of loose finishing and resolute defending, with keeper Michael Watkins and central defender Scott Davis being the outstanding Railwaymen.

Weymouth played some entertaining football going forward, with short passing being the rule.

Simon Weatherstone, in the centre of defence, and midfield man Paulo Vernazza both responsible for orchestrating many of the moves.

Didcot did give the visitors a wake- up call, in the 38th minute, when Paul Powell's free-kick found Mark Green free inside the box.

Didcot lost keeper Watkins, with a groin strain, at the interval, and his replacement, James Thomas' first real action was to pick the ball out of the back of the net. Vernazza's corner - from the left - was met by Weatherstone whose drive from the edge of the box flew past him.

Matthew was called upon at the other end to save well when Jack Kick latched on to a poor clearance and sent in an effort from 30 yards.

Coutts was unlucky to see his effort flash just wide before Boris Pesic, on as a substitute, scored Weymouth's second when he fastened on to a loose ball 30 yards out and let fly. Although his shot took a bit of a deflection the keeper was never going to keep the ball out.

Weymouth lost Coutts with a hamstring problem - 10 minutes from the end - but manager Jason Tindall said after the match that the injury was not serious.

Stuart Douglas saw Paul Bedwell clear an effort off of the goal line and Conal Platt was unlucky with an effort that went narrowly wide.

Terras boss Jason Tindall said: "I will make a decision on Boris in the next few days. He did well when he came on but so did everyone else who played and there were a lot of positives to take out of the game.

"A lot of players got 90 minutes and some of the football we played was excellent, and on another day we could have scored six or seven.

"One thing we have got to do is start being more clinical. We are creating some great chances but we are not always putting them away.

"It was good to keep another clean sheet and the tempo was a lot better. The midfield runners were getting beyond the strikers and overall it was very pleasing."

Of tonight's friendly at Portland United, Tindall said: "The lads who did not play last night will play and I am sure it will be another good work-out for us."