Terras on top
By Nigel Biddlecombe

WEYMOUTH made it back-to-back wins with a convincing second-half display at Grays last night.

Jason Tindall kept faith with the team that defeated Northwich Victoria on Saturday for last night's Blue Square Premier fixture at The New Rec.

On a surface that was holding water from the torrential rain that had fallen throughout the day, the home side made the better start and put Weymouth under severe pressure.

Within the opening 15 minutes Stuart Thurgood and Gavin Grant both shot wide with only Jon Stewart to beat while Aaron O'Connor saw his effort well saved by the visiting keeper.

Weymouth's first chance came in the 18th minute when Jefferson Louis failed to get a good enough connection to Paolo Vernazza's free-kick and watched his headed effort fly wide.

Stewart used his body to block Grant's shot at the near post, while Gavin McCallum did brilliantly to make space on the left before hitting his shot narrowly past the upright.

A back header by Ashley Vickers, from Vernazza's throw, was the visitor's first effort on target - in the 33rd minute - but Ross Fitney saved well.

If Grays had been in charge during the first period the second belonged to the battling Terras.

The Terras' midfielder whipped the ball across the penalty area and James Coutts ran in at the far post to drive the cross into the roof of the net.

Eleven minutes later the Terras won their first corner as McCallum - who once again was using his pace to great effect - beat two men on the left and crossed.

Vernazza's shot rebounded off of a defender while Louis effort from the rebound was deflected behind. Vernazza took the kick himself and Vickers beat his marker to flick on, but McCallum was unable to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

Weymouth doubled their advantage in the 67th minute when another Vernazza corner was superbly headed into the net by Louis.

The Terras were now dominating as the home side's heads visibly dropped and Weymouth might have increased their lead when Nick Crittenden's shot was superbly saved by Fitney with the assistant referee's flag preventing McCallum from making more of the rebound.

Deep into added time Grays were unlucky when Karl Murray put Danny Kedwell clear, but the home man saw his fierce shot rebound off of the post.

As the referee's whistle brought the game to a close the Essex sides fans vented their anger at beleaguered manager - Justin Edinburgh - and his team, but Weymouth could reflect on a job professionally done with three hard-earned points being their reward.