Anton's Cup ace
By Nigel Biddlecombe

SKIPPER Anton Robinson earned Weymouth a place in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup after his goal sealed victory in a bad-tempered replay at Top Field last night.

Terras defender Justin Roberts was sent-off after clashing with Hitchin striker Jon Stevenson on 44 minutes and was dismissed along with Canaries' midfielder Martin Standen after a melee broke out, which continued in the tunnel at half-time.

The incident happened three minutes after Robinson had given the Terras the lead, which eventually proved the winner to earn the Terras an away trip to Blue Square South leaders Eastbourne Borough on Saturday, November 10.

Jason Tindall brought in Paulo Vernazza and Conal Platt for Jefferson Louis and Danny Phillips, with Stuart Beavon returning from illness to sit on the bench.

The Terras started hesitantly when Jon Stevenson latched on to a poor pass from Roberts only for his effort to be blocked.

James Coutts had the visitors' first chance - his shot after Vernazza's free- kick was half cleared, going too high.

McCallum then did well to get the better of Ryan Frater only for his shot to cannon off a defender to safety.

As the Terras began to get the upper hand Vernazza sent a free-kick over the bar while Robinson was unable to get a telling touch to McCallum's cross.

Weymouth had a scare in the 37th minute after Nick Crittenden's shot was blocked and the home side broke through Sealey. However, the Hitchin man's effort was too high.

Hitchin did put the ball in the away net two minutes later when Jon Stewart failed to hold a corner and Standen touched the ball home, however, the referee had spotted a foul on the visiting keeper and awarded a free-kick.

Weymouth scored what was to prove the decisive goal in the 40th minute.

Crittenden's corner from the right was half cleared to Vernazza, whose cross into the area was controlled by Roberts. The Terras defender saw his shot blocked and fall to Robinson who drilled home.

The half ended on a sour note when Roberts and Standen were red-carded.

The resulting melee was sorted out by the referee and his assistants leading to both Roberts and Standen being given their marching orders. Stewart was then shown a yellow card as he became involved in the aftermath around the tunnel area.

The opening period of the second half was fairly quiet although Perks was forced to save from McCallum and Robinson in quick succession.

McCallum, who was giving David Deeney a torrid time down the flank, also saw a shot fly narrowly wide before a misplaced pass by half-time substitute Marcus Browning gave Sealey the chance to fire in a shot from 30 yards which was too high.

When Louis helped on a long clearance by Stewart to Vernazza it looked like the Terras would wrap the tie up, but the ex-Arsenal man's effort flew agonisingly past an upright.

While the Terras were forced to withstand pressure from the home side, who were desperately seeking the equaliser in the final 10 minutes, the reorganised defence stood firm and Stewart was only called upon once - when he saved Shane Hill's free-kick.

At the other end Vernazza, Crittenden and McCallum all saw efforts saved before the referee's whistle brought the game to a close.