Celts stand strong
By Adam Summers

HONOURS were even in last night's tense relegation scrap at the Wessex Stadium as the Terras failed to capitalise on several decent openings.

Jake Hyde should have got on the end of a couple of fine crosses in the first half and Anton Robinson and James Coutts went close but the hosts were unable to muster the all-important breakthrough despite Farsley being reduced to ten men midway through the second half.

Former Terra Andy Watson was the player that took the walk of shame but he was very unfortunate even though he intentionally blocked off Stuart Beavon in an off-the-ball incident with a shoulder charge.

The goal-less draw means the Terras remain in the bottom four, one point adrift of the Celts and Altrincham.

Weymouth boss John Hollins named the same line up and bench that started Saturday's 1-0 win over Stevenage Borough with loan pair Magnus Okuonghae and Chris Blackburn continuing at the centre of the defence and Hyde partnering Stuart Beavon up front.

Once again club captain Simon Weatherstone had to be content with watching from the main stand while Marcus Browning remains sidelined with an Achilles problem.

Nick Crittenden had an effort deflected wide for the Terras moments later before Kyle Critchell sent in a fabulous cross that Hyde was only inches away from getting on the end of.

The heavy conditions did not help the flow of the game but Weymouth carried on producing some fabulous crosses for their strikers.

On 23 minutes it was Tony Bedeau's turn to fire the ball in but again Hyde hesitated and the chance was lost.

There was no doubt that the Celts were looking lethargic but on 33 minutes they were gifted an opening when some indecisive defending allowed Steve Torpey to break clear.

He fed Damien Reeves but thankfully for the Terras, keeper Stephen Hend-erson was equal to the forward's effort.

Weymouth responded with a similar opening three minutes before the break when Bedeau put Beavon away. He tried to play it across to Hyde but his pass clipped a defender's boot enabling keeper Curtis Aspden to rush off his line and pounce on the ball.

Sixty seconds later Crittenden was then denied a scoring opportunity at the far post when Stephen Downes got a vital touch with his head to deflect the ball to safety.

Weymouth continued to look the more threatening side after the break and on 50 minutes Anton Robinson shot wide after a fine pass from Critchell.

Hollins sent on Michael Malcolm for Hyde on the hour to add some pace to his side's attack.

Four minutes later the former Rushden & Diamonds man made a lightning break to latch on to a fine ball from Beavon, who was then intentionally obstructed by Watson.

The visiting midfielder used his shoulder to block the Weymouth forward's run and after the pair briefly squared up to each other, referee David Phillips rushed over and immediately brandished the red card.

The incident warranted nothing more than a booking and summed up the official's performance, which was very poor indeed.

With an extra man many expected the Terras to apply some late pressure but moments later more confusion rained over the Wessex Stadium when Reeves clattered defender Trevor Challis with an elbow, leaving him with mild concussion.

A melee then ensued before the referee cautioned Reeves, Challis and Dominic Krief.

James Coutts immediately replaced Challis before Scott McNiven sent a 25-yard free-kick towards the target, which Henderson did well to hold.

Coutts then had a powerful shot deflected over the top on 79 minutes but it was Farsley who had the better chances to win it towards the end.

Substitute James Knowles latched on to a poor back-pass but was denied by Henderson who then produced a remarkable challenge with an outstretched leg to thwart Krief, who looked certain to score after dancing past a couple of defenders to get into the box.